A Switch in Stylings
John Paul Roney, formerly of alt-rock band, We The Living, trades in the crashing guitars and pounding drums of his old outfit for a quieter, electronic-beat driven folk experiment. Performing as John Rayne under the title of Boom Forest, a “techno-evangelist bard from a post-apocalyptic American future,” brings us his first LP Post Knight Errant.
Post Knight Errant starts off with a synth filled affair titled “Been.” This track is a stellar showcase for Roney’s understated vocals which are at the same time powerful, and does a great job conveying the lyrics that speak of a lover growing suspicious of their partners recent actions. The drum machine pops a light but driving beat behind a staccato horn and synth melody. Post Knight Errant starts off strong with a great driving song.
The album stays strong, but quickly changes pace with the next track, “Silver Hair,” which sheds the electronic stylings of the previous track for the acoustic guitars and piano keys more typical of an alt-folk project. The song starts out quiet on the strings and keys before exploding into the chorus with a pulsing drum beat, and continues to wax and wane between verses that speak of the trials of growing older in a relationship.
No matter which direction Roney chooses to bring the listener for the rest of the album, it’s impossible to be disappointed. This album is something of a musical scattershot. Post Knight Errant mixes and matches a menagerie of musical influences and stylings, but they are always put together in an enjoyable way. The record takes the shape of a musical experiment where the ever changing variables always seem to come together in an enjoyable way. Roney has proved himself to be a very versatile musician and a talented songwriter. His up-and-coming career should no doubt be watched with great interest.
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