Home is where the heart is. A cliché statement, but sometimes clichés exist because they are true. I lived in the Pacific Northwest for just shy of 2 decades. Wondering if I’d lay down roots but knowing deep down that I’d eventually return to the Philadelphia ‘burbs – which I did at the start of the Pandemic in March of 2020. That’s a story for another time, perhaps. Side note: traveling across the US during this time period was quite eerie. The Pacific Northwest / Philadelphia connection made me feel an instant bond with the new-ish Philadelphia band, Opal Eskar. The band was founded by Karl Blau who has deep ties to the Pacific Northwest, it was formed after Blau moved to the Philadelphia region. The band was rounded out by local legend Heyward Howkins (whose 2 solo albums were reviewed on this site), Chet Delcampo (solo albums & Hong Kong Stingray), Charlie Hall (The War on Drugs), and Robbie Bennett (The War on Drugs). The songs feel like reconnecting with an old friend. Warm, familiar, and a few surprises.
The album starts off with the single And Yet Love Rules which sets the tone for what comes after. Mellow, yet direct. The band is totally in sync, building towards a melodic jam of sorts as the song moves forward. Open Mind! has an intro that feels more like a garage rock anthem as opposed to mellow indie rock jam. Vocals kick in and it is an instant classic. That bass line is just wonderful. “Open up and take a chance!” a positive leaning song that is incredible. Soft Exchange has a Flaming Lips circa 1999 vibe about it that I enjoy immensely. Plaintive, yearning vocals while the musical accompaniment allows Blau’s vocals to shine. Complex, almost jazz like instrumentation with guitar flourishes that perfectly suit the vibes. The Woodsmen really brought me back to my days in Washington State. It feels inspired by Mount Eerie / The Microphones, one of my favorite bands based out of Anacortes, WA. The sound feels like an update of the early 00’s indie aesthetic. It grooves along and is instantly memorable. All I Wanna Do is a cover of The Beach Boys classic. I love what the band does with this tune. You’ll recognize it but it is filtered through the band’s unique sound. Sunlight Is Breakin’ Out is the band’s first release and is a fitting way to end the mini album. This song does not feature Charlie Hall or Robbie Bennet – this is Blau / Delcampo / and Howkins. It is a more acoustic feeling song that what has come before and has a mantra like feel to it. I really love this song.
You can buy the album here. I’m looking forward to what comes next from this group. A bit of the Pacific Northwest, a bit of Philadelphia. 100% perfection.
Verdict: Philadelphia Supergroup
For Fans of: Iron & Wine, Neil Young, Mojave 3, David Bowie, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy
Tracks:
- And Yet Love Rules
- Open Mind!
- Soft Exchange
- The Woodsman
- All I Wanna Do (Beach Boys cover)
- Sunlight is Breakin’ Out