Wednesday 6 June 2018

The Americas | Come On Out | Single Review

The Americas released their long awaited for single Come On Out, which will be the first in a series of singles that will be released ahead of their debut EP ‘Guitar Music Is Dead' which is currently scheduled for release on September 7th. The track was recorded in a way that gives it as much old school authenticity as you can get in this day and age. “we recorded it through a beautiful analogue desk... I think it was used to record The Eagles albums” (Aaron) it was recorded on a tape machine by Mike Hill.

Instrumentally Come On Out is an upbeat song that with summery vibes sown through the entire track. The tempo is slightly slower than past releases that gives the track a more chilled, easy listening feel, that is perhaps drawn from more contemporary influences such as Twin Peaks. The regular tambourine beat is for me a big part of what ties together the summer feeling with that classic 70s rock and roll sound you expect The Americas to deliver.


The Americas are hugely loved for their ode to real rock and roll, their influences are drawn from Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and many many more. But I think what makes them so passionately loved by their fans is that contemporary connection the past. For their older fans it’s a way to connect to past memories when these huge bands were in their prime, to see that the spirit of rock and roll still lives on. For their younger fans in their own generation, you watch them live on stage, or listen to them through your ear phones or in your bed room, and you imagine yourself in the past, you can almost see yourself in an old 70s/80s film, it’s that idea of golden age living, to momentarily live in an era that doesn’t revolve around social media.

Lyrically Come On Out is filled with raw emotion and follows suit to past releases from The Americas. Continually showing their old souls and their takes on life, Harry and Aaron write lyrics that high light life’s painful truths and allow people to relate to their music. Sticking to this fashion, Come On Out’s lyrics are filled with bitter sweet sadness that contrast to the happy summer vibes taken from the guitar lines and upbeat drums.


I don't wanna talk no more
I just wanna drown my troubles
There's really nothing more about it that I can say
I just wanna take my pain away for one brief moment”

The song tells a tale of being in pain and needing to escape that reality by going out, one of my favourite verses in the song massively contrasts within itself. It begins with “Remember playing with your dog in the yard, Remember when life wasn't so fucking hard, Remember when we didn't have to feel so much all the time” A light nod towards easier days of childhood before the difficulties that come with growing up in this century take over your life. The latter half of the verse is painfully relatable for me and I’m sure will be for many listeners. Playing with your demons is fun sometimes, Yeah playing with your demons is fun sometimes, Fun 'til it completely destroys your life and you're back here alone” To me this section reflects that’s you can try and escape your pain with drink and drugs, and that break from reality can be fun and what you need for a brief moment, but it can’t last. That continual use of substance abuse leads you down a dark road.



Part of what makes the Americas so special is that their lyrics are open to listener’s individual interpretation, obviously some lines are what they are. But there are those golden lines that someone can hear and suddenly form a deep connection to, whether that be attaching their memory to the line or simply relating to it a sea of different ways. It’s what makes their lyrics iconic and heartfelt. “I'm sick of nothing in my life being real, Sometimes I think pain is the only thing that I feel that makes me feel alive” is perhaps my favourite couple of lines in Come On Out that I connected, I’m sure a lot of people can connect to this message – but I’m also sure it will be in a different way for everyone.



Something myself, and a lot of other journalists have said in the past, is that The Americas are creating the kind of music you want to drive down a Utah highway too, whether that be in an Cadillac or on a motorbike. And whilst that is true, it’s just so much more than that. They’re beautifully refreshing in a sea of indie rock and their songs truly mean something.


As The Americas are our cover boys and are about to blow up the scene with new music it's only fitting they headline our launch party. They've been a band close to my heart long before I finally saw them live and I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to be headlining Denim + Leather's most important event to date! I'm all about old rock and roll and The Americas bring that sound into modern music.


Our launch party gig is at Jimmy's in Manchester on July 6th. Supporting The Americas we've got two of our favourite rock and roll bands on the bill, Naked Six will be opening up the night followed by the mighty The Franklys.


Ticket link: https://www.skiddle.com/TheAmericas



Review and photography by Holly Beson-Tams

Post a Comment

Latest Instagrams

© Denim + Leather. Design by FCD.