[rating=9.00]
There comes a time in life when you’re a ways into adulthood, and it finally sinks in that the carefree days of your twenties are behind you. Colorado-based band Ark Life has captured this so poignantly on their debut record The Dream of You and Me. Led by These United States’ Jesse Elliot, Ark Life creates rhythmic numbers out of life’s little casualties, tapping into the deeply personal pain that can only be felt when it’s time to move on, into the foreseeable future that awaits.
With a similarly buzzy sound to contemporaries like Alabama Shakes, Clear Plastic Masks and J. Roddy Walston and the Business, Ark Life achieves that seamless hybrid of rock and R&B. Their infectious grooves are bursting with gospel-tinged, full-bodied vocals and smooth, folksy harmonies. Rollicking piano and soulful backup “oohs” and “aahs”, mixed with a subtle hint of psychedelic guitar licks make for fun, exciting, and totally danceable songs.
The humorous, historic fable “Molly Brown” and “She” boast some of the most impressive vocals on the record. “She” has that highly repeatable viral potential that makes it so hard to forget, but then again, nearly the entire album does, too.
Influences that range from classic 1970s rock to Southern fried blues and soul are etched all over these tunes. “Rock & Roll (Take it Easy)” and “Some Unheroic Hill” have the sound of super fans paying homage to their rock gods by emulating them (The Band, anyone?). Both have that warm familiarity that almost fools you into thinking you’re hearing classic rock cover songs. “What You Want To” has a kind of Dixie-funk flare, and “Proud of Me Out There Mama” is a standout, embodying that classic, Americana, Tweedy-esque spirit with percussion that sounds like handclaps.
“You’re With Me”, a duet that features the only solo female vocals on the album, is so divine it makes you wish there were more of a prominent focus on the ladies of the band throughout the album. But they contribute stellar instrumentals and backup vocals, especially on this tune.
“Have to Leave You Now” is the ultimate breakup song, and the culmination of many a recurring theme on this record. Especially along with the title track “The Dream of You and Me”, the songwriting is full of nostalgia for days past, but readiness to move forward, with a hint of sadness and regret. In these songs, they face time head-on, refusing to keep repeating the mistakes of their youth, from temperamental relationships to partying too hard. Ark Life explores the coming of age that comes later in life, when immaturity no longer serves its purpose and being a grownup is looming.
Ark Life has disguised hard realizations and life philosophies in The Dream of You and Me, and smartly made them into lively, vibrant songs that beckon you to the dance floor. With such a fantastic debut, it’s truly exhilarating to wonder where Ark Life will go next.
