The Band CAMINO
The Band CAMINO / The Band CAMINO / 2021 / Elektra-075678643422
Let me preface by saying that I’ve been a fan of pop punk/rock music for nearly 15 years, so you could say I’m a connoisseur of the genre. So when I say you need to check out The Band CAMINO’s self titled if you haven’t already, you NEED to. For fans of catchy beats, melodies, and unforgettable lyrics is the debut LP from the Nashville, Tennessee based trio. Jeffery Jordan and Spencer Stewart share the role of lead vocals and electric guitar while Garrison Burgess carries the bands rhythm as bassist and drummer on the record. There is a lot of brilliant, collaborative songwriting from all members throughout this album that I feel is underrated by many, but can easily earn your attention and praise. I dare you to listen to this album without having at least one song stuck in your head when it’s over.
The Band CAMINO is a pop rock album full of the essential cliché tropes but with the addition of some special artistic touches. There’s songs of sadness, heartbreak, forgiveness, love, and truth. The catch is that Jeffery and Spencer are two extremely talented vocalists AND guitar players that deliver on both fronts. Not often do you come across that. Garrison’s drumming throughout is no light work either. Additionally, there’s tons of really great electric keyboard, synth, and programming throughout the album that Burgess provides. Opening tracks EVERYBODYDIES and Roses are about finding yourself through the sadness and realizing life is too short to feel that way perpetually. They’re upbeat, big songs that really set a precedent for the record. Roses includes trendy EDM and dubstep tones sprinkled into the chorus that sound really sick. Following tracks Underneath My Skin and I Think I Like You lure you to get out on the dance floor with their disco vibes. Some of my favorite tracks on the record though are Know It All and Damage. Know It All has Jeffery expressing pure jealousy toward an ex that is now with someone else. In the chorus chant he sings “I know he doesn’t know it all. No, he don’t know that you and me had something chemical. The things you said to me when we were drunk in Montreal. I bet you told him about me, about me”. It’s one of those tracks that’s essential to your car playlist to crank when your windows are rolled down. I also love the Van Halen-hot guitar solo during the bridge. Damage has Spencer taking lead to express a similar story - a coming to terms that if it’s the end of he and his lover, maybe he just has to appreciate what he had and settle. I love his vivid vocals and how it carries his sincerity complemented with harmonies and arpeggiated synthesizer throughout the track.
The Band CAMINO was produced by Jordan M. Schmidt and recorded in Tornillo, Texas. If you enjoyed the self titled I recommend also checking out their EP tryhard. Daphne Blue on the extended play also carries a Van Halen rock guitar tone intro that gets me fired up.
