A blend of innovation, intrigue and raw talent are necessary for a band to make their name and stand out against the vibrant mosaic that is Portland’s music scene. Water and Bodies possess each of these traits, combining them to superb effect in their sophomore effort, The Rain City Sessions Part 2, an EP that captivates and inspires wonder from its opening drums through its closing lyrics.
Sessions comprises six tracks of dulcet guitar tones, lovely pianos and bass that tickle a listener’s ears without drowning out the rest of the music. This solid instrumentation combines with ethereal soundscapes that will paint your imagination across a starry sky as you ponder the infinite and appreciate the present.
Vocalist Christopher Ruff caps it off with singing that ranges from a catchy falsetto to a powerful yell bordering on a scream, but with grace and a level amount of force that doesn’t invite larynx damage. The band’s clever lyrics incorporate much wordplay that is actually meaningful and prescient—they’re not the sort of wordsmiths who just come off as pretentious garblers.
The only downfall of Sessions, as with the self-titled EP, is how quickly it ends. The 12 tracks released by the band thus far are all superb, but it’s high time for a full-length album that doesn’t draw listeners in, only to end so soon after making a fan out of those listeners. All things considered, this group is among the Portland elite for creating introspective music that doesn’t get old.
Water and Bodies
Rain City Sessions Part 2
Rain City Records
Out Feb. 16, available digitally at www.raincityrecords.net/store
4.5 out of 5 stars