Vestige in the River delves into transitions, beginnings and endings, doorways and passages, the concept found in the two faces of Roman mythology’s Janus, who looked to the future and to the past simultaneously. The thrust of the EP is that even though the furniture of life and those occupying it change, some things remain constant, such as the inspiration for music.
Formed in 2010, Manzanita Falls consisted of Jeremy McCarten (vocals, songwriting), Stuart Markham (guitar), Matt Coit (drums), and Matt Robinson (bass). Their debut album, Vinyl Ghost, appeared in 2012, followed by their sophomore album, Abilene, in 2017.
Shortly thereafter, Markham and Coit departed in pursuit of other interests. Ross Barbieri (guitar) and Cameron Morris (drums) filled the vacancies. Invigorated by new energy and creative vision, the band began writing new material. The result is Vestige in the River.
After a scrumptiously resonant bridge, the guitars surge with heavy, dirty energy, infusing the harmonics with thick, viscous muscularity.
“NoseDive” opens on a tasty, compact riff seguing into a softly gleaming alt-rock melody. The deep pulse of the bass line infuses the rhythm with alluring potency, as the snare snaps tightly. Subdued guitars provide lambent accents that elevate to luminous hues on the chorus, filling the tune with gleaming surfaces. After a scrumptiously resonant bridge, the guitars surge with heavy, dirty energy, infusing the harmonics with thick, viscous muscularity.
McCartens affluent tenor imbues the lyrics with tantalizing wisps of reflection as he reflects on the end of a relationship. When his tones bump up, the music achieves glowing, captivating radiance. It’s a galvanizing voice, rife with urgent passion and candid emotional textures.
Memorable lyrics narrate the saga of unresolved emotional liability.
“Come around, come around / Do you remember when I spent the whole week on the couch / You pulled me out of a nosedive and I guess / I needed you then / Like I need you now / But I don’t see you around / Come around, come around / You can win the battle / But I know I’m winning the war.
“NoseDive” is marvelously wrought, full of innovative persuasive colors, irresistible rhythmic flow, and Jeremy McCarten’s plush voice.
-Rawckus Magazine (Randy Radic)
lyrics
Come around, Come around
Do you remember when I spent the whole week on the couch
You pulled me out of the nosedive before I crashed down
And I guess
I needed you then
Like I need you need you now
But I don’t
See you around
I’ll see you around
Chorus
Come around, come around
You can win the battle, I know I’m winning the war
It’s alright
I can see the white of your eyes, but you’ve been here before
You left me hanging like an empty picture frame on the wall
Like some loose change burning a pocket with nobody to call
You hurt me in a way that only a good friend could do
Draggin’ the past to the light and I’ll hold it for you
Chorus 2
You can win the battle, I know I’m winning the war
It’s alright
I can see the white of your eyes, but you’ve been here before
Come around
You can win the battle, I know I’m winning the war.
Outro Chorus
Come around, come around
You can win the battle, I know I’m winning the war
Draw the line in the sand but you’ve drawn it to close the shore
Come around
You can win the battle, I know I’m winning the war
And It’s alright
I can see the white of your eyes, but you’ve been here before
Come around
You can win the battle, I know I’m winning the war
It’s alright
You can win the battle, I know I’m winning the war
Lyrics by: Jeremy McCarten
credits
released March 22, 2019
Lyrics by: Jeremy McCarten
Guitar: Jeremy McCarten
Lead Guitar: Ross Barbieri
Drums: Cameron Morris
Bass: Matt Robinson
Recorded at White Whale Studios
Mixed by: Stuart Markham (White Whale Studios)
Mastered by: Chris Graham Mastering
Artwork by: Michael at Designed by Monkeys
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