Still Life is The Bedside Morale’s debut EP and, if it’s a tad short, they made it pretty strong! Review.
STILL LIFE – THE BEDSIDE MORALE
Let’s head to Bristol, where we will discover an energetic yet contemplative, sincere rock. It all comes from Tim Kazer’s mind, and with him, The Bedside Morale gets their first EP out, Still Life. It holds a rather fitting name too, as each of its four tracks looks like a postal card, a Polaroid or an oil painting depicting colourful everyday life. There are some blurry parts, movement, and dynamic instants, regardless of the general image aesthetic. A sepia filter, pastel colours, a fresh or slightly passed varnish… I really can see and feel all of these in each song. It’s all created and managed by the band’s intensity.
The first track, Bitter Things is a great representative of this effect, thanks to its seaside atmosphere, its riffs coming down by waves, more and more intense, as it keeps some softness, between resentment and acceptance. To me, it’s a great starter, beautifully followed by Early Morning Sonnet. Here, The Bedside Morale blend aesthetics, and it feels passionate and intimate at the same time.
For Safeword, the band gets out some superb heavy riffs, clear vocals, and, mostly, memorable backing vocals that give the track its anthemic spirit. Live-ready, and already pretty strong in its studio version, it will bring people in front of their stage. The Bedside Morale closes Still Life with tenderness, through Yours Sincerely. If it’s a well-balanced ending, it still feels too soon. Now, I must wait for what’s next, which will surely be grand!
