Run Downhill

Run Downhill

Run Downhill just released their 4th album, and it is amazing! In case, you do not know who Run Downhill is, here is a little introduction to who they are. This is a band that sings indie-country music that originated from Los Angeles, CA. The group is made up of 5 key members. Their music seems to be influenced a lot by the classic country sounds of the years between 1940 and 1960, but it has been coupled up beautifully with the indie rock aesthetics of the late 1990s. They have also incorporated a comic book concept in some of their videos, and there is currently a working on a comic series called “Kilbourn” which has been written by T.J. Troy and has been illustrated by Chis McFann.

This band has been on the music scene for a few years now. Their first major release was their debut EP, Giants, which was released back in 2012. This was for me a way of the band to introduce themselves. The EP featured songs that were arranged in such a way that they showcased a picture of band’s varied music styles. Their second release was “Kilbourn”. The interesting bit about this release is that the recording was done on a single day. This album was also edited to include a comic story. This was so that the audience could relate to the stories in the songs in a more vivid manner.

Their next release even got me more interested in the band more. The EP was called, “Spur #1”. The comic narrative of the Kilbourn saga continued. This incredible piece of artwork was also taken a notch higher, whereby the EP was then accompanied by a 48-page comic book.

The band has not disappointed with their latest album release that is called “Spurs #2.2/ Midnight Road Trip”. I think this release has the potential to be their biggest release yet. The album has seven songs and the revolutionary song comic concept has been furthered more. The first two songs serve as chapter 7 and 8 of the comic book series, the Kilbourn saga. The incredible thing with this integration of mix media in their performance is that all the media complement each other. The songs are about the comic book, and the comic effects bring life to the words as they are being performed.

In addition to the release of Spurs #2.2, there is the addition of an EP which has been dubbed “Midnight Road Trip”. The EP serves that purpose precisely. It has the kind of songs that I would want to listen to as I drive along a disserted road at night. It seems to awaken the outlaw in a person as they drive quietly through the dark. The songs are meant for the ghostly moods of the night.

The album has been produced exceptionally, and the arrangements are simply beautiful and the through-lining concept is just unique. This is an album that belongs among the collector’s items. You should make a point of purchasing some of the songs in the album or even listen to them on the internet. You will instantly fall in love with the music.

Review by Wallace Jarvis