As we live through the twilight of 2016, the team at Odyssey UTEP prepared a series of articles detailing our favorite "something" of 2016. Whether that meant favorite road trip we went on during the year, our favorite movie watched, or any other topic, was up to us. In my case, I decided to share one of my favorite hobbies, listening to music.
2016 proved to be an eventful year in terms of projects released, with legendary artists like Radiohead and A Tribe Called Quest releasing new albums. However with the release of their album Down in Heaven, Chicago's favorite quintet, Twin Peaks were constantly on repeat throughout the year.
One of the main draws of this album is its welcoming and very much polished sound. This is achieved partially due to the inclusion of Colin Croom on the keyboards. His contributions to this album are most notably heard in tracks like "Holding Roses," and "Getting Better," in which it blends perfectly with bassist Jack Dolan's vocals. Croom's work adds a layer of emotion and legitimacy to Twin Peaks' premise as an outfit that can range between powerful garage sound, to sophisticated and refined ballads. While some fans may argue that this album is a departure from the band's roots as a product of a raw and very much "local" Chicago scene, it seems like a step in the right direction to finding a flexible style the quintet can iterate and improve upon.
Another element that played a factor in the album was the pacing and scheduling of the recording sessions. In an interview with redeyechicago.com, vocalist Cadien Lake James revealed that the "bulk of the album" was recorded in the summer of 2015 at a friend's estate in Massachusetts; a departure from their previous recording endeavors all taking place in Chicago. With the time management aspect being a lot more lenient and flexible , Twin Peaks were able to craft more mature, and relatable lyrics. "My Boys" is a perfect example of the friendly vibe this album emits, with the sounds of a road trip that evoke a "we're all part of the gang" feel.
My favorite track "Wanted You" features slow and somber vocals, alongside great vocal harmonies and a very consistent contribution by Croom on keyboards, making it one of my go to songs when driving or simply listening to it around the house.
