By Harry Gustafson
Album Art by Helen Robinson
After recording their last EP, upstairs/downstairs, in a Brighton apartment, the members of All Talk were ready to get back into a large studio to work on their new self-titled full-length release. Band members, Tim Mensel (bass, vocals), Cole Maxwell (guitar, vocals) and Dan Shapiro (drums) ended up choosing Big Nice studio in Lincoln, RI as their base of operations. The space this studio provided lent itself well to the sound of the new record.
As Mensel put it, “Big Nice has 30 foot high ceilings so a lot of the character of our new record comes from working the natural sounds of that room.” This more open space is clear as day on Maxwell’s guitar work – often hopping from groovy arpeggios to jangly riffs. It also shines through in moments like the downtempo, calming close to “Endless Love is a Mantra” and the gentle guitar bounces of “Habit of Living.”
Photo by Charlotte Gellene
Though all the instruments find plenty of room in the extra space, the album is really one of introspection. The lyrics often have a dreamlike quality to them, and lines like “a moment will come – you’re in your skin” from “Lens” give off a vibe that is both out-of-body while still inward-facing; there is a narrative throughout of trying to regain one’s center. Perhaps this is due to the interesting situation the band found themselves in during the songwriting process.
Inevitably, the band tried their hand at a more direct approach to songwriting, with 5 of the album’s 9 tracks timing out at under 3 minutes, a new strategy for the band.
All Talk‘s best quality is the way this newfound focus balances with the breezy, relaxed sounds of the music itself. Stream
All Talk below via Soundcloud, and get out to one of the band’s upcoming July gigs, especially that show at the Middle East Upstairs with
Soft Fangs,
Blau Blau and
Littlefoot.
7/13 – Brooklyn, NY @ Silent Barn
7/16 – Columbis, OH @ Spacebar
7/17 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
7/18 – Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop
7/19 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Black Forge
7/24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
7/25 – Washington, D.C @ Fort Davie
7/26 – Harrisonburg, VA @ Easy Greasy
7/27 – Asheville, NC @ Odditorium
7/28 – Nashville, TN @ Cobra
7/29 – Athens, GA @ Caledonia Lounge
7/30 – Lexington, KY @ Al’s Bar
