A Lot To Think About If you’ve ever dreamt of discovering a new band that checks all of the boxes for an artist that writes honest songs that fit somewhere in the realm of The Gaslight Anthem, Jimmy Eat World and The Menzingers, then E.R.I.E. are here for you. The third LP from the upstate New York indie punk band is called The Highs, The Lows, and Everything In Between and is filled with anthemic rock songs that do a nice job of encapsulating the past few years of not only the band’s life, but ours as well. The lyrics are very relatable, and the music itself is crisp, poised, and filled with the utmost passion behind each note. Originally released in a series of three EPs, the full artistic statement comes into focus with the last piece of the puzzle coming out to connect the dots of the band’s vision.
The album sets off on the right foot with the raucous “A Lot To Think About” that was written by band leader, TJ Foster, and his great vocal delivery recalls early Against Me! paired with the working-man approach of The Gaslight Anthem’s Brian Fallon. The heartfelt opener sets the stage for the great material that continues to flow through E.R.I.E. When asked about his inspiration behind this record, Foster shared, “I asked myself what I’d want to say if this was the last record I ever made. There are so many stories of grandeur and superstardom in rock n’ roll–I wanted to tell one about the rest of us, scaling an impossibly tall mountain via VFW halls, dirty basements and crowded minivans. Forever climbing, forever conquering obstacles, forever hungry for more.” The band leaves nothing for granted on this album that is overflowing with raw emotion.
”May Your Heart Always Be Young” sounds like a song that would even make the late-Tom Petty jealous he didn’t pen himself, while “It’s nepotism, baby!” features some great guitar riffing and slow builds to a rewarding chorus before backing into a comfortable groove in the verses. “Battlescars” recalls the wounds we have all felt over this period of time where it feels like the world around us is crumbling to its core, and “Legacy Act” features a nice cameo from Sydney Worthley over some great bass lines and more passionate vocals from TJ Foster. The harmonies are top notch here as the two vocalists hit their marks.
”See You Shine” takes its time building a narrative around a person that you want to see take their best step forward and reach their full potential. It’s a nice song that showcases the band’s improvements in their sound. “Burn Out” is a ballad about being at your breaking point and wondering where to turn next to get a reprieve from the outside noise that overwhelms us all. The track does a nice job of cutting right to the core of what makes us all human, and builds that connection with the listener.
”Over It” features some great power chords, and the pre-chorus build up is made from the stuff of music legends. It reminded me a lot of Jimmy Eat World’s Surviving-era song of “All The Way (Stay).” “Hard Headed” is a rock n’ roll track that recounts the days of when rock radio was more prominent on the airwaves, and it features another guest spot (by Erin Harkes). It’s basically the band’s stab at a big 80’s hair metal anthem, and it works pretty well. The piano-laced ballad of “The Air is Getting Thinner” tells a nice story and gives the audience a bit of a chance to catch their breath before the song accelerates to the finish line.
The cool Muse-esque guitar riffing of “Good Time” makes for a nice, stomping rock song that features Foster shouting out his early vocals like a speaker talking to the masses through a megaphone. He does a nice job of rallying the crowd, and makes for a unique vibe on the closing moments of the LP. “(No) Encore” aptly closes out the record with one last gasp of rock notoriety, as Foster playfully sings, “Let’s leave before they call for an encore.” E.R.I.E. deserves praise for this record that not only pays tribute to some of the hardest working bands in the business, but highlights their own approach to the songwriting craft that this band is getting really damn good at. The Highs, The Lows, and Everything In Between is rock solid, and I feel like our scene should welcome E.R.I.E. with open arms.