Inspirations, chants and a cover

It helps to have friends who share their musical musings with others, even better when they hear something and do the right thing by suggesting it to you!  And yet again our web of artists and songs has expanded and brings us to an even more appreciative listening place.

The first moment you hear The Lone Bellow, you will either be blown away by their immediate and intense three-part harmonies (like in the song "You Don't Love Me Like You Used To"), or sucked into a delicate and mesmerizing melody line (like in "Tree to Grow").  Either way, you're not going to stop listening any time soon.  Although at times, the album as a whole might seem a bit inconsistent, the group's ridiculous (-ly good) harmonies are such a joy to a vocalist who understands the work and sync-ness that is vital to succeed in this kind of singing.  As you listen to their songs build to bridges of almost-screams, Zach Williams, the band's timid, but powerful lead, soars with his vocals, as his two other band members, Kanene Donehey Pipkin and Brian Elmquist, work as the harmonic foundation for his forceful and reflective lyrics.

So, how to choose which song to share?  Wanting to give a full perspective of what this band can truly do, two songs beg to be posted.  The first, an homage to the band's home, Brooklyn, a video beautifully representing the rough edges of a city burrow near and dear.  The song's memorable riff "ba ba da ba ba da..." has everyone singing along by the end, even all of the people appearing in the video!  Williams' vocals are highlighted, but The Lone Bellow harmonic core still plays a big part in creating this song into an anthem of power and unity, especially as the harmonies and "ba ba da's" echo out in the outro.

The other song is a well known Buffalo Springfield song, For What It's Worth.  Sung acoustically on the top of a mountain with snow capped scenes behind them, the trio are oozing with subtle and controlled emotion.  It is a nice change to see Williams take a break at first, allowing his other bandmates to sing the opening lines, holding back for the imminent build the song will take towards the end.  It does and it's beautiful and the song is resurrected from its place in history, being given a modern channel for freedom and protest.

Bleeding Out is from The Lone Bellow's self-titled album, which came out in January 2013.