Release Date: August 30th 2024. Record Label: Black Doomba Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Little Wars: Tracklisting
1. Pony Express
2. Times Gone Bad
3. Last Laugh
4. Black Rhino Mantra
5. These Eyes
6. Tides
7. Highway Dawn
8. Old Black Crow
9. Carousel
Members
Erik Caplan: Vocals, Guitar, Theremin, Sitar, Banjo, Harmonica, Synth, Drones, Weird Stuff
Micheal Stuart: Vocals, Drums, Percussion
Joshua Adam Solomon: Vocals, Bass, Guitars, Synth, Percussion
Jack Falkenbach: Vocals, Keys, Violin, Melodica
Review
Thunderbird Divine were formed in 2017 after the dissolution of two other bands from the Philly scene, Wizard Eye and Skeleton Hands. The origin of the band name has a pretty cool story, as it was the nickname of a Vietnam veteran in Erik Caplan’s (vocals, guitar) hometown growing up and its also the name of one of the tracks off of his previous band Wizard Eye’s self-titled album back in 2015. Erik along with ex-Skeleton Hands Mike Stuart (drums), Jack Falkenbach (keys), and Joshua Solomon (bass) are all veterans of the scene and completed their current lineup in 2022. Having released their debut ‘Magnasonic’ in 2019 and the follow-up ‘The Hand of Man’ in 2020, the album ‘Little Wars’ is the band's third sonic outing.
‘Little Wars’ is a wonderful listening experience full of tasty riffs, lyrical idioms, and talented musicianship throughout, directing you through a wide path of sounds and styles. Songs like ‘Times Gone Bad’ with its rich organ tones and thick sounding bass delve into hard rock territory while the lead guitar has a grungy feel to it making for a mixture of sounds and genres. The lyrics are something we can all relate to, having all been through our share of bad times. ‘Last Laugh’ the first single off the album has a stoner rock feel to it with great guitar and clever lyrics, as the saying goes when you point a finger to blame someone else you have more pointed back at yourself. The female vocals are an amazing accent and produce somewhat of a southern rock vibe when combined with the keyboard. You’ve got to check out the video, it’s comical with the guys singing the ladies part and it looks like they are having a blast shooting it!
‘These Eyes’ has some of my favorite guitar parts, the repeating riff is alluring and absolutely draws you in. The tail-end of the song has some amazing lead guitar and the choir of female vocals joining in and going a cappella at the end, makes for one of the most memorable sections of the album. ‘Old Black Crow’ is a departure from the heavy rockers or stoner influences, it’s like a psychedelic Americana song with Erik playing banjo accompanied by a jazzy piano lick, and whether it is or not I can imagine an upright bass being played as the vocals tell the agonizing torture of being haunted by that fucking crow.
There are plenty of other great moments on ‘Little Wars’ like the opening track ‘Pony Express’ with its soulful harmonica and Native American feel to it, the drums on ‘Black Rhino Mantra’ as well as the drumming patterns and tom fills on ‘Highway Dawn’, killer percussion work throughout. The two instrumental tracks ‘Tides’ with its progressive rock organ and tribal drums and the closer ‘Carousel’ which yes, sounds like a carousel with some glass slide guitar behind it. All are outstanding, a variety of auditory masterpieces awaits the listener and Thunderbird Divine have quite a divine album on their hands with ‘Little Wars’.
Words by Jon McGough
Thanks to C Squared Music for the promo.
Little Wars will be available to buy from Black Doomba Records on Friday August 30th 2024.
Links
Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
