Artist: Alcoa
Album: Bones and Marrow
Label: Bridge 9

Defeater is a hardcore band that’s been on the rise over the past few years. With their release of Empty Days & Sleepless Nights in 2011, the band grew exponentially in their popularity. They are fast, aggressive and just an overall intense emotional experience. When I found out that singer of Defeater Derek Archambault had a side project named Alcoa, I was skeptical. I knew that the acoustic tracks on Empty Days & Sleepless Nights were awesome, but I didn’t really know how much of a hand Derek had  in writing the songs. Regardless, I picked up his demo of Alcoa songs and they were solid, but they were nothing really that blew me away. However I’ve been mulling over Alcoa’s release Bone and Marrow for the past few days now, and I can’t get it out of my head. It’s absolutely wonderful.

First and foremost: if you like Defeater’s acoustic tracks, you’re going to love this record. I know a lot of people are asking themselves that question, so I thought I might answer that as quickly as possible. While they are not necessarily the same, you can hear a direct comparison between the songs. The Americana vibe of this record really tugs at my heart strings, punching me in the face with nostalgia and the inherent melancholy that comes with searching through old memories. Bone and Marrow is one of those records that you listen to and you get brought to a different place, “Limbs” being a perfect example. Sonically, it’s got full band tracks, but it also (and more so) has really stripped down raw songs. With obvious influences from Bob Dylan and other singer-songwriter types, the musicianship behind this record isn’t extremely complex, but that does not mean this is a boring listen. With every note, every strum, and every hit of a drum, I find myself being transported into the world and life of Derek.

Lyrically, this is some of Derek’s most beautiful lyrical work. Each song tells a story of love, loss, and feeling disconnected. While these themes are by no means new to punk or any style of music, Derek puts his own stamp on them that makes them feel entirely unique. The song “Cars and Cigarrettes” hit me like a brick, and is going to be on constant rotation for the next few months, easily. Derek does a great job of weaving personal life stories and imagery together, which in turn creates wonderful auditory paintings throughout the entirety of the record.

Alcoa’s Bone and Marrow is a project that is easily accessible to almost any type of listener. You don’t have to be a punk to get into this. Alcoa the perfect remedy for a rainy day, a companion for a long drive home, or someone to help you get away for a while. Bone and Marrow is definitely going to be one of my favorite releases of the year, and it’s because this record reminds me that sometimes the best remedy is to just slow down for a bit.

SCORE: 9/10

Written By: Tyler Osborne (Follow him on Twitter)

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Tyler Osborne

Live in DC, grew up in PA. I specialize in writing, filming and taking pictures about punk, pop-punk, and hardcore music, and I also have a huge background in film as well. When not on the site, i'm running my own internet radio show, ToZ's Edge Radio (www.facebook.com/tozedgeradio). I also love stage diving and goldfish.

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