The Rupert Selection are a Boston psych-grunge and alt-rock band who had recently released a new album ‘Crumbs for the Sun’. The album is the culmination of more than two years of creativity, from founder Reilly Somach (vocals and guitar), Sam Bouvé (bass and additional vocals), and Peter W. Bartash (drums).
It`s overarching lyrical theme mirrors how unforgiving and fleeting life is. The band have shared that “The title has been kicking around for years and we all agreed it just felt right for this one early on. Since this album was recorded at different places and at different times, it now feels like a collection of snapshots that, when together, tell the story of the last two years. Scattered crumbs that build to something bigger.”
`Astronauts` leads us in with its crashing Smashing Pumpkins guitar swagger but that`s where the similarity ends as breathy vocals take us on a swaying reverie about life and possibly views on mortality. A kind of reflective melodic life affirming trip. There`s a real headrush to `I Saw God` which races along and is shared as if has a to be dispersed before it`s timed out or implodes.
There was a real trippy sensibility to `Taking Turns` which is mirrored with the out-there lyrics as it lurched along drawing you into its fairly hallucinogenic vibe. I read later that the band said, “the lyrics give off drug-induced anxiety vibes, maybe a situation where you feel like you’re out of your body and meeting yourself for the first time, viewing yourself from another person’s perspective, being lost in the void or something.” There`s a delightfully Illusory ambience to `Come Along` which enjoys violin by Anika Thomas and cello by Matt McDonnell. A number that really allows reflection as it kind of washes over you, overwhelms and drifts you off into another dimension.
`What You Said` has a real bluster or strut about it with lyrics that question what has been said in a relationship and if it was really what was thought or suggested. There was some captivating intricate musical interplay between the musicians on this composition. For me, `Then Again` was another trippy almost trance-like submission that seemed to hint at previous substance experimentation.
`Unbroken` is a kind of experimental musical jam or voyage which leads us along into many varied passages, routes, trails, and paths as we are escorted and guided along this diverse sophisticated aural soundscape.
I read somewhere that The Rupert Selection often takes the listener on an expansive sonic journey and on ‘Crumbs for the Sun’ this still holds true. There are melodic reflective sections with guitar chord riffs aplenty and i`m sure you`ll find something here that will certainly float your boat. For me I have their previous 2019 album `Priors` to acquaint myself with.
Adjusting part of a quote assigned to that advocate of psychedelic drugs Timothy Leary I’d suggest you “turn on tune in and chill out” to `Crumbs From the Sun`
Rating 8.5 /10
