Strange Empires. Lions of the Interstate

Sweet flowing pop rock songs flow from my speakers. Yes, it all sounds very familiar but tickles all the right fancies. Lions of the Interstate has released a very nice record. It rocks while presenting songs to seriously listen to as well.

Lions of the Interstate is a band from Portland in Oregon. The founding members Ben Alberts and Rich Millward had played together in the band Magnetic Health Factory. They formed a new project in 2019 and started to write together and find new band members. Two were found in the The Smiths cover band This Charming Man, Arturo Diaz and Jeremy Petersen. Final member is Kyla Henry, whose voice can be heard regularly on Strange Empires.

Whatever the members have musically achieved before this album is unknown to me. Comparisons can only be made to other bands. Names like R.E.M., The Smiths, Sunny Day Real Estate and Dinosaur jr all come to mind and many more. You can figure that out for yourself. Lions of the Interstate plays music that is melodic, has a bite and loads of guitars that hover between jangly and rock. On top of that all there are loads of harmony vocals.

A minor, yet distinctive detail in the band's music is the glockenspiel of Kyla Henry. The bright little bells ring out in between the electric music. It provides the music with a playful element, making it somewhat different from the average alternative pop-rock band. Over the album a violin and trumpets can be heard as extras.

Promo photo

'One Month' is a very dreamy song. It shows a totally other side of Lions of the Interstate. Again with a supportive role for Ms. Henry, whose voice graces the background. Over the album she can be heard more and even in the lead in 'Lost In Spokane'. The variation in lead vocals over the album is one of its pleasant qualities.

I've already pointed out that the listener must not expect to hear a new, innovative band at work on Strange Empires. What (s)he can expect is an extremely varied and good album of a new and for now obscure band. As far as I'm concerned this should change in the coming months. Strange Empires deserves to be heard.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order Strange Empires here:

https://lionsoftheinterstate.bandcamp.com/album/strange-empires