Music Review // The Out Seer "Changes"

https://open.spotify.com/album/0quySrU052lDJ58Lg8nhJK

When the album "Changes" first begins there is an intro track called "Nitro" that is instrumental and has starts and stops which make me think of it as a surf rock type of song.  However, this is really the only time I think about surf rock on this album despite it having songs about a beach, sun and iced tea.  The Out Seer brings in a more complex version of rock music, which channels both influences old and new.

Right away as the pianos bring us into the first full song, "Otherside", I am reminded of Fleetwood Mac.  There is a melodic indie vibe within here as well, and by the slower guitar notes on "Iced Tea" I'm thinking about Audio Jane.  I really enjoy the complexity of "Nails" as it feels like a lot coming at you all at once.  It's faster paced, but fun and just full of words.  It reminds me of R.E.M. to some extent, and then they become an influence I'll hear throughout the rest of the songs as well.

"Nails" also drops off into this blues section and the piano persists, which can bring out some of that Natalie Merchant magic.   There seems to be a point where the mood shifts- and if this was a record or cassette you would likely flip sides at this point- as we get into the song "Wait".  There are darker tones and it just feels like a storm is brewing.  "Echo Beach" has those emergency type sounds to start but then it comes in smooth like Blondie or Heart.   "Sun & Sky" features a sweet guitar solo and by "Kansas" we can feel the album winding down.

By the end, The Out Seer can bring about a sound which is rather intense.  It feels in ways like the entire sound up until now had been building to this.  But right before the end, for that final titular track, it sort of mellows out.  This just shows the unique diversity within this rock n roll sound that can go from fun and upbeat to darker and somewhat trippy- the way you can be moved emotionally by both the Beach Boys or The Doors, but sometimes The Out Seer can even pull this sense off within the same song.