Truth & Salvage Co. Return From Hiatus with Long Lost LP ‘Atoms Form’ (ALBUM REVIEW)

Photo credit: Matt Mendenhall

Truth & Salvage Co. is a band that formed in 2009 in Los Angeles and rocketed to some early success. Chris Robinson signed the band to his Silver Arrow label and brought the band tour with him. Robinson produced the band’s self-titled album in 2010, and while it is a good album centered around twangy guitars, organ and harmony vocals, it proved to be the beginning of some difficulty for the band.

The follow-up to the debut album was Pick Me Up, produced by Rob Schnapf. Unfortunately, the record label and management rejected the album. Of the experience with Pick Me Up, Tim Jones (vocals, guitar) said, “They wanted to make us The Black Crowes meets The Band meets The Lumineers, which sounds awesome! But we weren’t there.”

Since then, the band members scattered and the band has been on hiatus since 2015. Their new album Atoms Form is actually the album produced by Rob Schnapf that was declined by the previous label and management. Of Schnapf’s involvement, Scott Kinnebrew (vocals, lead guitar) said, “Rob was super meticulous. Every second of a song was precious and timeless to him, and he treated it as such. He had a lot of input on arrangements, and he gave us all of his energy.”

In the lead track “Charm City”, you can hear that despite such a long hiatus, the band still places a lot of importance on the warm organ sound and the harmony vocals. You can hear some similarities to The Band, but the instrumental break features a guitar part that is somewhat psychedelic and louder than during the rest of the song.

“24 Hours” begins with banjo and organ as part of a downtempo melody. As the song builds, you can’t help but notice a similarity to Band of Heathens. You can hear it not just in the melody but also in the harmony vocals which impart a soulful, almost gospel feel to the song. 

Psychedelic sounds are prominent throughout the album. In “Back in Your Love”, the organ and guitar sounds swirl and provide a 60s feel to the song. It is a good song regardless, but if you listen with headphones, you feel like you are surrounded by the layers of sound.

You have to give credit to the band for creating choruses that are memorable and easy to sing. In every song, even if you’re hearing it for the first time, you can’t help but get caught up in the chorus and sing along. Part of the reason the choruses are so easy to sing is because the band keeps it simple. In both “Summertime” and “Silver Lining”, the chorus is just one line. It’s a testament to the band’s songcrafting skills that they can create such memorable lines that are easy to sing.

It may have been a long time coming for this album to be released as the band wanted it, but Atoms Form by Truth & Salvage Co. Is worth the wait. It is filled with rootsy melodies and harmony vocals that add a richness to these songs. It might remind you of some of your favorite classic-rock records while at the same time making you realize that this band is doing its own thing and doing it well.

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