ALBUM REVIEW: In Lieu Of Flowers – Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties
If you’re after something a little different to listen to – an album that goes off piste a little – then look no further than In Lieu Of Flowers by folk rockers AARON WEST AND THE ROARING TWENTIES. It’s been five years since their last effort Routine Maintenance but Dan Campbell of THE WONDER YEARS is back with his solo music/alter ego with an album that takes a look at the sorry state of the world and most importantly, looks at how he himself – or Aaron West – views the world. It’s a difficult listen at times but it has a lot of themes we can all relate to, which gives the album a wonderfully cathartic vibe.
From the get go, you know this album is going to be quite the ride. Opening the record is Smoking Rooms, a track that starts off as a slow acoustic tune set to the backdrop of a talkative audience. You’d be forgiven for thinking that it sounds like a LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III song as the acoustic guitar slowly guides us through, setting us on the journey that is In Lieu Of Flowers. However, as we near the end of this particular track, West takes things up a notch with a huge crashing arena ensemble that is incredibly Springsteenian. The cacophony of horn sections, drums and huge guitars is special and sets the standard for what is to come.
Instantly following this up is Roman Candles, which continues the dour nature of the record, yet manages to maintain the huge arena rock aesthetic foundations set by its predecessor. Even though we’re only two songs in at this point, you’ll have a lump or two in your throat by the end of the song. Paying Bills At The End of the World is up next, but this one offers something a little different, shaking things up a bit by relying heavily on a country sounding song that looks at the hardships of life and financial struggles. Throughout the record, West is able to create the perfect combination of both country and arena rock that sees the 16 person ensemble that makes up The Roaring Twenties at the top of their game by creating evocative and poignant music that definitely brings the feels but also feeds the soul. Album highlight Monongahela Park perfectly encapsulates this as it also allows West to flex his ever impressive vocals.
Alone At St. Luke’s and Spitting In The Wind continue to pick up the pace and return to a more rocky style with the huge guitars and brass section pummelling the senses as the band take a hold of the modern day emo sound that has become prevalent with the likes of SPANISH LOVE SONGS and HOT MULLIGAN. It’s almost impossible to single songs out as they all connect throughout the album’s sprawling narrative – each of them little vignettes about West himself that start off in a dark place. That said, a real standout is I’m An Albatross – a slow acoustic ballad that is backed up with a beautiful orchestral accompaniment. It’s a song that gives you a moment to pause and reflect on life and the record itself; it’s one of the most understated songs on the album, yet it packs one of the bigger emotional punches.
Towards the back end of In Lieu Of Flowers we are treated to a grand finale. Runnin’ Out of Excuses ramps everything back up again and takes us by the hand as we journey with West to an ending that feels a lot more hopeful at this point than it did at the start. The penultimate and title track offers a grandiose piece of music that features a chorus that is just as grandiose as its music to boot; you’ll be wanting to scream along at the top of your lungs with your fist in the air as West helps you shake off demons and relieve you of the weight on your shoulders. Dead Leaves closes the album on a quieter note; it feels like it bookends the album as it sounds very similar to the start of Smoking Rooms, but this time the mood has switched. The album starts off in a fairly hopeless place where it is darkest before dawn, but by the end the dawn has well and truly come and with that, a lot more hope.
You’d be hard pressed to find an album as good as In Lieu Of Flowers throughout the rest of 2024. West has set the bar high for himself, every song is met with the same level of passion and never feels half-baked and the quality just absolutely oozes from this album. If you’re ever lucky enough to see these songs live, you’ll know it’s not really a mosh-pit-inducing album, yet one that allows you to experience these songs by listening and soaking in every moment. In Lieu Of Flowers is the perfect example of music being the best medicine; it might just help you and many others through those dark times onto a more hopeful and brighter side of life.
Rating: 9/10
In Lieu Of Flowers is set for release on April 12th via Hopeless Records.
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