Slothrust - Parallel Timeline

 

"Parallel Timeline" is the 5th studio album by American alternative rock band Slothrust.  The Boston based band seem pretty underground and have only gone on my radar in the last month due to them appearing on You tuber Spectrum Pulse's end of year lists both song and albums. Out of all the songs and albums on those lists this was the one that stood out for me the most and I checked out the album immediatley.  And I have been listening to it ever since.

The album was released in September 2021 and a month before hand they had to part way with their bassist due to allegations against him.  Which may have tared the album release build up, but this is an album that, regardless deserves some attention.  The first two tracks really pull you in and are such a fantastic one, two punch but do so in their own totally unique ways. First track "Cranium" creeps in with a slow beat and feels like a pretty standard indie track. Well would be if it wasn't for Leah Wellbaum's exquisite vocals.  But then at three minutes the song takes a direction which is both refreshing and the first time you hear it pleasantly surprising.   From this point it goes into a 1 minute, 40 second guitar solo which is so mesmorisingly amazing.  It's not trying to be technically amazing.  Its raw and moves along at a relaxing pace before winding up the track. An excellent start to any album.

Next up "Once more for the ocean" turns things up a notch and is wonderfully upbeat singalong.  "The next curse" features none other than Lzzy Hale from rock heavyweights Halestorm.  The two complement each other well and will hopefully turn more attention on to Slothrust having someone on this track like Lzzy Hale.  The song builds nicely and has another fine guitar solo.  This one is more purposeful than the one on "Cranium" and also more pure sounding.  But just as good.  I would say that after the first 4 tracks the rock element of the album is really done, and the rest of the album is more downbeat and at some points epic.  Both styles really seem to suit Wellbaum's voice.  "Strange Astrology" in particular is such a dreamy, spacy track which is so beautiful.

While guitars are present early on, piano and synths shine through on tracks like "Waiting" and "King Arthur's seat".  "A Giant Swallow" turns to the acoustic guitar in another low key, exquisite track. I think this album could have finished on either of the last two tracks.  "White rabbits" and "Parallel Timeline have that ending, climatical feeling about them. And both great in their own way.

Overall, this is an absolutely cracking album which I hope will get the attention it deserves.  It's so refreshing and is one which keeps you on your toes as it goes in all sorts of directions.  They are very talented band with a unique view on song writing which separates them from the crowd.