Pinegrove - Cardinal

Pinegrove
Cardinal
2016
Spotify

Pinegrove is that band that your friends who are super deep into the music scene beg you to listen to but you never do. Well I am going to join the bandwagon of critics and let you know this record really is next level stuff. Everything that is good about do-it-yourself, Americana or rock is all right here in this record. The lyrics really shine with Evan Stephen Hall's voice painting a picture that is not only crystal clear, but also easily accessible. There is something really special about hearing some super well done rock and roll music and Cardinal has just that. The hooks work just as well as catchy sing-a-longs as the verses do to tell the story. "Then Again" is one of the more upbeat tracks on the album has a chorus that is absolutely infectious. You can clearly hear the roots of Saddle Creek from this New Jersey group witha twinge of emo slipping in but never going full bore off that cliff. You could also easily compare Pinegrove to groups like The Drive-By Truckers with the soulful songwriting and still using a bit of country just to add some twang, but Cardinal is something else. This album takes from everywhere and brings it all together into something really special.

Even for an alternative record Cardinal is quite short at only 30 minutes and eight tracks. Just as you find yourself getting into a groove it is almost time to end. Clearly a great deal of work and emotion went into these tracks, but just a bit more would really be nice. Much of the record seems to be about being the most well read person at a bar and trying to understand exactly what that means. Are you to consider yourself above the party and just move on with life? Or is it about shutting the brain off and getting down with the Plebs. Of course the answer and what Pinegrove eventually come to is that it is a little bit of both, "introspective partying!" as the bands description reads. That is really what alternative music seems to be seeking out, how to take intellect and make it just as catchy as anything on top 40 radio. You most likely will never hear any of these songs anywhere, which is the real shame because given a chance I can't imagine people not digging this album. Take a listen and get your introspective party on.

8.5 out of 10