ALBUM REVIEW: From Worry To Shame – Head With Wings
Releasing their debut album From Worry To Shame is Connecticut based duo, HEAD WITH WINGS. The progressive pair have set themselves on putting out an album that blends music, art and drama together. Inspiration is drawn from events such as the Sandy Hook Massacre, the Cheshire Home Invasion, and the kidnap and murder of vocalist Joshua Corum‘s cousin in 2008. Marking the 10 year anniversary of her death, Corum wants the raise awareness about the importance of remaining astute in life.
The album follows a narrative about a troubled teacher who loses his daughter in a school shooting, and then his wife to suicide. It isn’t for those who are faint-hearted, it is a heavy and dramatic listen. It’s melancholy approach strikes from the first notes of Goodbye Sky, the album’s opener. HEAD WITH WINGS don’t have a typical prog sound, it’s fresh but also dark. Whilst Goodbye Sky has elegance in guitar work and soft vocals, it is chilling.
Somewhere, Something Gives is emotional, and filled with more aggression than its predecessor. The narrative is coming to life and Corum‘s vocals pull you in, you are living the tale that is being told through each lyric. That continues throughout on In Memoriam and Misanthropy. The sense of rage dims a little and becomes once again more melancholy and distressing. Title track From Worry To Shame offers something absolutely beautiful but unsettling. It’s catchy and etches its way into your mind, uncovering any pain that you may have gone through. It’s an addictive listen, and you’re left sucked into whatever mess is going on. The sheer ability to do that is outstanding, but on a debut is something truly special.
Beyond The Wall slightly picks up in atmosphere, it’s textured and each layer on this song breaks boundaries. It’s effortlessly sincere, the guitar work alongside Corum‘s vocals slot together like a jigsaw. There’s a lot of pain that pours out but it’s never too overwhelming where it becomes unbearable to cope with. Stepping Stone offers the same sort of vibe. It’s elegant, and is a great example at how HEAD WITH WINGS are balancing that line between art and music.
Dark Motel Rooms offers the same elegance but it’s more sinister. It’s a song on the album that is one of the most haunt to listen to. At this stage on the album it shouldn’t feel so bleak emotionally in an ideal world, but the duo want you to remember this isn’t an ideal world. This is the way life goes and the aforementioned message that they want to get across is shown here. Closing the album, Treading Lightly is a tender end. It’s a very delicate song that draws out some real serious ambience. It leaves you feeling like you almost know the character on the album and the stories that have been told. It’s an extraordinary talent to be able to connect a listener to a fictional being.
At points there might be a slight concern that this album could be controversial considering the influences and topics involved, especially school shootings. There is no need for concern. This is real life and things need talking about. HEAD WITH WINGS have put together this album with sensitivity towards certain subjects but have not held back either, the narrative is delicate but hard-hitting. For a debut, this progressive duo have taken some huge risks but it has paid off. Sometimes you just have to go for it, if it works it works. From Worry To Shame is an outstanding, dark, sincere album that is sure to take this duo to the next level. It is a shining example that prog doesn’t have to be overly technical, nor does it have to follow the same formula as other bands in the genre for it to work. Progressive means favouring the change of something and this album is the ultimate definition of the word when it comes to the genre.
Rating: 9/10
From Worry To Shame is out now via self-release.
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