GOLDSTAR. The Sophs

With a few singles already on this blog in the past months, it will not come as a surprise that the band's debut album can be found here as well. The band was signed on the basis of a few demo's, without even having played a live show. Let's call it talent and expectations. 

The Sophs is Ethan Ramon (voice), Sam Yuh (keyboards), Austin Parker Jones (electric guitar), Seth Smades (acoustic guitar), Devin Russ (drums), and Cole Bobbitt (bass) and is from Los Angeles. Based on the previous singles, it was already clear that GOLDSTAR ought to be a very varied album. No song sounded the same and that more or less goes for the songs on the album. Expectations fulfilled.

One song The Sophs sounds like its unique self, in others like a band I'm still trying to find the name of in my head. Ethan Ramon's voice comes so incredibly close to that singer. In those same songs The Sophs sound like The Violent Femmes on a pop streak. At the same time The Sophs manage to surprise by taking a song in a totally different direction. A little pretentious? Perhaps, but definitely with a panache that makes them come away with it with so much ease.

The Sophs is a six piece band. The songs are so eclectic that it seems like all six members must have an equal hand in the creation process. Songs are so different that it is hard to imagine one person being responsible for all these ideas.

I am very much tempted to start sharing examples but I decided to refrain from giving them. GOLDSTAR is the kind of album that you need to explore for yourself. With one exception, as this band is totally obscure: The Plan! 'I'm Your Fiend' was definitely inspired by one of the songs on the Swedes eponymous album from 2001.

The Sophs truly takes its listeners on a musical journey with a surprise around each corner. There are a few quotes, like Janis Joplin's introduction to 'Mercedes Benz' and John Lee Hooker's "how how how". Expect spoken word poetry besides just singing. Singer Ethan Ramon shows himself as much as the band does. Soft songs are invaded by dirty guitars. Almost everything goes in the musical universe of The Sophs.

GOLDSTAR is the kind of album that may announce a new band that is going to make a huge difference in the coming years. One of these albums that may be remembered for some time. But then, sometimes that does not happen. Time will tell. In the meantime, I have a new favourite album right now.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order GOLDSTAR here:

https://thesophs.bandcamp.com/album/goldstar