Sol Y Sombra by Rose City Band–Album Review
Sol Y Sombra by Rose City Band–Album Review
The Rose City Band is a cosmic outfit from Portland, Oregon. There is no hidden agenda here. I would classify their sound as psychedelic country rock but the lead guitarist and singer Ripley Johnson, who also fronts psychedelic rock bands Wooden Shijips and Moon Duo, said in an interview on KEXP last year that he doesn’t think of it that way.
“Doing this project was all the things I couldn’t do in the other bands like songs I would write that really wouldn’t fit in with the other bands I would set aside. And eventually did this kind of music, which, in my mind, I differentiate because there’s more twang, it’s not really country rock, there’s the twang aspect, the strumming aspect that didn’t fit in with the other bands, it’s cleaner, the guitar is cleaner.”
But to someone obsessed with country rock, I beg to differ. Because here’s the clincher: for me they generate that beloved and nostalgic sound of New Riders of the Purple Sage. It cannot be stressed enough, though, that the Rose City Band’s music is more sedate. Ripley’s vocals are softer and the band is more laid back. Ripley says, “It scratches an itch that I couldn’t scratch with the other bands.”
Their new release, Sol Y Sombra, which happens to be an alcoholic drink, has several tunes with ‘road’ titles, so I decided to head out on a two-lane, desert road for a listen. And that first song, “Lights on the Way”, which turns out to be my favorite, blows me away right off the bat. If this song doesn’t sound like the Grateful Dead, I don’t know what does. I’d have to check the credits but right now my hands are on the wheel and there’s a smile on my face. Barry Walker’s steel guitar is so sublime, an immediate mental relaxer.
”Open Roads” is a bouncy, countrified ditty that mentions “rolling down to Mexico,” which I would prefer if it weren’t three hours away. “Rolling Gold” opens with a strumming guitar and pedal steel. The beat has a loping gait like riding a horse, and the lyrics hold an element of darkness yet seek light. This sound just makes me happy.
”Evergreen” slows it down, which creates a gentle longing– that sudden reverie. There’s a reference to “going down to Portland Green” which I find out later is a student village, if I’m not mistaken.
”Sunlight Daze”, the longest song, continues with the calmness of loneliness, the lyrical theme. “Isn’t it strange?/ When you’re all alone and you feel afraid”. It’s about growing old. In my opinion, this song has the most beautiful guitar solo.
”Radio Song”– I think I’ve heard this catchy tune before. It picks up the tempo with a strumming guitar and a wailing steel guitar. Do I detect a slight wah-wah in there? “Ride slow / All alone into the night.” Maybe this is the hit. It sure contains all the qualities of a classic country rock sound. Not to mention the inclusion of “marijuana cigarettes and play guitar / Sipping on bluebird wine”.
Sanae Yamada
”Seeds of Light” takes us back into Dead country and that’s always a plus. I have failed to mention drummer John Jeffrey and keyboardist Paul Hasenberg only because their background rhythm is so grounded and solid. This song really shows them off with a slight Bo Diddley connection. Again, when that steel guitar comes through, I’m swooning down the road. A lot of these songs are about rolling down the road, usually going home. I turn my 4Runner around for the remaining numbers.
”La Mesa” begins with a strong drum beat and uplifting guitar notes, all the sounds growing more focused in this positive instrumental. There’s a samba feel to this tune that whisks you away to a sandy beach setting.
”Wheels” opens with that sweet sound of country sadness; I cannot express the deep joy that the steel guitar evokes but always with a certain underlying sadness. It’s such a beautiful sound of acceptance and longing. Another hopeful song of “feeling low / feeling fine” but all hearts returning to the One. I get an Allman Brothers-esq vibe, especially from the guitar.
The Band
The last song, “The Walls”, is a slow, wanting song that contains a killer keyboard solo that seems to come from an earlier time in rock music. The poor singer is “broke down on the freeway” and “why call it home / I had it all, I know / and I call it home”. There’s an overload of sadness there. The whole recording lasts about 45 minutes and layered my driving with a peaceful feel. The desert contained more beauty because its soundtrack was filled with dreamy nostalgia. Of course, it can be listened to from anywhere; on the road, at the beach, in your garden, or on your porch, the latter two being places that Ripley prefers.
This is soul music for the person who prefers country rock. I know I’ll be listening to their previous albums now. Final words from Ripley: “It harkens back to the music that I loved when I was younger, when I was a kid, and listened to classic rock and country music and stuff.” Sol Y Sombra is a must for those who prefer the satisfying sound of cosmic country rock.
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