Seattle’s Fort Loveless get their creative drive from brothers Alex and Kevin Rivera. They released the LP “Dust Of A Decade” back on October 4. The song “Porcelain” from the LP is currently #2 on the UncleEars.com New Music Top 40 Chart.
Porcelain (lyrics)
What a song! Taking on no less than the subject of the fragility of life itself. Doing so with finger snaps, soft guitars, sneaky melodies and rousing chorus builds. It’s a fine example of what you’ll find all through this intriguing album.
There is plenty to discover in “Dust Of A Decade.” (Bancamp Link.) Begin at the top with the mystical ballad “Year Of The Jackal.” The instrumention contrasts the lyrics. A song about sexual conquests outside of “love” is in fact a remorseful take on not being able to connect emotionally.
“Evangeline” and “Betty Brosmer” both celebrate female protagonists, with the latter adding in some saloon piano and vinyl record “crackle” for effect.
“Bright Red Blood” sings of a major emotional breakthrough. “Now I know love as a river of bright red blood / I could’ve sworn every goddamn part / of this here heart / had hardened up / but then you came along / while I was singing a sad sad song.”
Following “Porcelain,” track number seven is “Smoke In The Orange Grove.” Fort Loveless makes a song about growing old enough to smoke pot with the gang somehow touching and resonant.
“Archipelago” is a thing of beauty. Haunting. What has the child become in the absence of the father?
“Gallows” sounds morbid as a song title but how can it be with the beauitiful chimes building and lifting up your soul? The LP is painted to a climax with more soaring vocal harmonies and a heartfelt ode to “moving on.”
Why is “Dust Of A Decade” so listenable? Alex Rivera on lead vocals conveys a smoky elegance. Kevin Rivera perfectly complements on harmony. The lyrics are both personal and relatable.
The LP at times sounds like a gospel to getting better at life. Both dramatic and subtle pauses of breath weave between lyrics, pianos, guitars and natural synth sounds. It has something to say but never preaches. Listen for small moments that add up to big things.
Two brothers reach into their individual vaults of life roadblocks and experiences here, producing a cathartic recollection of times of pain and profound growth. They do so in a way that is both beautiful and somber.
The Dust Of A Decade is now in the past, with just a glint from particles still present in the reflective Seattle afternoon sunlight.
LINK: https://www.instagram.com/fortloveless/
UNCLE EARS is a music blog written by David Falk. davidrfalk@gmail.com David was born in 1962 and gravitates towards melodies, adventure, unsigned artists, fresh discoveries. He trusts his ear to know what it likes and loves sharing what he finds. He lives near Seattle, WA, USA.
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