Rhode Island guitarist-vocalist Mike Gendron has released a saucy rock and roll album. #Devole reveals a lot of edge in the vocals and guitar and a touch of sophistication in its use of instruments like pedal steel and piano. Gendron rocks or soothes with an especially plaintive voice that maintains a sound all his own.
Title track “#Devolve” finds Gendron applying his determined raspy vocal over grungy lead and rhythm guitar. He pushes this mid-tempo rock dirge forward with snarky attitude and a raw, fuzzy guitar line that has as much attitude. A lead guitar chimes in, and it sounds, with intervals of spacy notes like a spaceship coming in for a landing. Waves of synth augment the song, and it all feels like such a fun send up of rock and roll and sci fi movie sound effects.
“Tuscarora” sways to a gently beat. Its heave of piano notes and a slowly mounting electric guitar weave a sturdy sound. Over that backdrop, Gendron sings about “bastards” who won’t give him a break. Gendron eventually becomes more soulful, moving his voice over the powerful piano and guitar beneath him, making this feel like an epic song.
“Felt So Human” moves with a forceful beat, sweet backing coos around Gendron’s rasp, and, when this piece winds up and releases, Gendron belts it out with authentic emotion. A lead guitar rears its head and impresses with its edge. This song grabs the ear with its driving emotion and pleases with nice touches from synths and other keyboard tweaks.
Moving like a boxer across the ring, “Spin It/Spew It” has a fighting attitude. Gendron barks out what makes him angry. His rasp well suited to this gripe song, the uptempo pace of the simple arrangement keeps it feisty. A rhythm guitar progression and drums fills load this up with something that perfectly matches Gendron’s attitude. A lead guitar break gives it another edge, and this song clearly states not to mess.
Taking things slow and mellow on “Street Dreams,” Gendron gets a roots feeling with a sloping guitar melody, a rustic rhythm, and his relaxed vocal. This one stands out for the forlorn emotions Gendron develops on multiple levels with each instrument contributing something weepy and beautifully mournful.
Deep diving into a more country roots vibe, Gendron offers harmonica, banjo, and mandolin on “Know Your Number #56.” Gendron finesses the vocal line well, keeping his sincere chirp just above the sweet country tones coming off the pedal steel as well as the rustic acoustic instruments. Gendron shows a fine mastery of this roots sub-genre as he chirps steadily above so many tasty notes.
“Until It’s Not” brings Gendron and his support players into darker rock territory. Gendron keeps his guitar light, mellow, and foreboding at once. He plays it with a slight feel of trepidation, suggesting the song is taking us some place unsafe. Gendron paces this song perfectly, allowing space for a lot of nice touches along the way within the overall daunting motion. It also helps that he keeps his rasp aggressive, always.
“Silver Country Heart” pushes its way in with a moody electric guitar progression. Over that sensitive sound, Gendron chimes in with his plaintive vocal. This mid-tempo number gets its strength from the usual Gendron guitar and vocal qualities. This one builds upon those assets by developing tension in the voice, guitar, and lyrical vision. The listener is initially drawn by the sound, then, the listener gets the payoff in how this becomes something with a smoldering lead guitar and an even greater sense of urgency.
With a synthesizer creating an ocean breeze and an electric guitar offering ripples of notes, “Lament (Remember The Day)” makes for an interesting interlude. “Fly” rushes right in with rocking drums, bass, and rhythm guitar. Gendron vocally gripes about a ubiquitous fly that won’t go away. A fun song about irritation and obsession, “Fly” has plenty of energy, grit, and speedy synth.
“Know Your Number #78” offers a striking contrast to “Know Your Number #56.” Gendron grinds out a startlingly brisk lead guitar line over a simmering organ. He sings a lilting verse over a zig zagging guitar, giving this adventurous piece a twisty inner momentum. The headline is the energy created by this tune’s momentum and how well Gendron delivers the goods on lead guitar.
Close out track “#Devolve” is an acoustic guitar and harmonica solo version of the “#Devolve.”
Here, the music sounds like early Bob Dylan, only Gendron sings higher if not as earthy. Contemplative and serious, it thematically works well with this singer’s plaintive vocal
Gendron shows many sides of his musical persona on this #Devolve album. He rocks right out hard and fast on some numbers, offers singer-songwriter sensibilities on others, and he provides country roots flourishes on a few. Through it all, Gendron maintains a single identity with his own sound no matter which genres or instruments become his tools. Bass guitar man Ryan Meehan, drummer Kevin Ferschke, pedal steel player John Winters, and keyboardist Kevin Keough round out the band and provide immeasurable service to Gendron’s vision. Gendron did most of the producing by himself with Meehan helping on some tracks. Recording at Nuthouse Studios in Rehoboth, Masachusetts, the boys have all of their flinty, raspy sounds hitting hard and clear.
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