Posts tagged winfred e. eye
Oakland-based quartet Winfred E. Eye releases its fifth full-length album with Today Was Another Day. Though much of the band’s lineup has been a revolving door of different faces since its debut in 2000, frontman Aaron Calvert and bass guitarist Mikel Garmendia have been at the core throughout.
Sounds Like: Tom Waits, Wilco, Uncle Tupelo
Clean electric guitar strums and airy keys open “Money In Bank,” Today Was Another Day’s opening track. Savvy drum work picks up the pace of the tune, as Calvert’s Tom Waits-esque vocals sing of moonlight over an easy moving bluesy groove. The chorus is filled with vocal harmonies and blues guitar riffs. Syncopated piano keys and free-ranging guitar riffs drive “We’re Farmin’,” which finds Calvert riffing on the subtleties of his garden (“there’s worms in the mud / they’re making vitamins / we’ll take care of them we need them too”).
Best Lyric: “Don’t let it fall on my watch, no / I get paid to be a professional / but when I’d to think I know my trade / but sometimes I can’t and I don’t trust myself, no” - “No $”
The subdued guitars, dreary keys, and rumbling guitars on “Void” create a darker tone, matching Calvert’s longing lyrics (“stacked on the bills I owe / is a check my heart can’t cash”). The tempo picks up quickly on “Hard Time Comin’.” Steady drums and gently distorted guitar strumming lay the baseline for Calvert’s vocals and intermittent guitar solo riffs. Calvert’s heartfelt lyrics try to explain the heavy emotions encountered when losing someone close before their time.
Garmendia’s moving bass line is accentuated by bells and playful guitar riffs on “No $.” Calvert’s lyrics speak to the general collective that have found difficulties in these tough times, finding comfort in the fact that he is joined by others in the day to day fight to survive. An agonizingly slow, dark blues riff carries “Sentimental Junk,” as Calvert’s lyrics take a scathing look at what lies beyond the white picket fences of a not-so-picture-perfect suburban home.
Music video for “Money In Bank”
Calvert & Co. take large retail chains to task on “Customer Service.” An easy-going melody turns slightly sour, very reminiscent of poor customer service. Calvert’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics (“I can’t get no service here and I’m out on my own / well how do you expect this big box to feel like home? / My money and my time are too precious to spend on you / there’s got to be a farmer’s market around here”) and smooth melodies make a strong argument. Calvert channels his inner Ben Harper on “Burnin’ Alone,” as his croons of love loss float over soft blues riffs.
Key Tracks: Money In Bank; We’re Farmin’; No $; Customer Service; Burnin’ Alone; Why Me; The Office, Him and Me; Movin’ On
An ominous bass line and chilling backing vocals carry “Froze Heem.” Quick drums and a cascading guitar riff provide a change of pace on “Why Me.” On this track, the main character questions his bad luck, fully knowing that he brings it all upon himself (“you drank too much / you shoulda known better / I shoulda known better”). Winfred E. Eye seems to hit its stride on “The Office, Him and Me,” as a palm-muted guitar riff and lighter-picked riff play against each other over a jamming drum line. “Movin’ On” is a somber number, nicely wrapping up Today Was Another Day.
Overall Rating:
After listening to Today Was Another Day, my day was brightened up a bit because of it. With minimal expectations going into this review, I found the upbeat songs to be thoroughly solid, finding their stride in the Americana/alt-country jams. Calvert’s songwriting is strong, as even some of the slower and more somber tunes still exhibit some interesting story lines and other lyrical gems.
