Winchester 7 & The Runners formed when bassist Phil Voorhees and drummer Jack Kane (together, The Runners) met ukulele player, Winchester 7. While the band is based in Atlanta, Georgia, Voorhees resides in Amsterdam and Kane in the UK. Additionally, the band has a very unique sound that only Winchester 7 & The Runners could pull off. The band just released their latest album, Catacomb Songs. The album features seven tracks with two Bonus tracks and a run time of 32 minutes.
We begin the album on Dead Celebrities and New Beginnings. This track sounds like the most Alternative, Surf Rock song I’ve heard ever. I used to think The Beach Boys were pretty revolutionary, but one track in and I think that Winchester 7 & The Runners could surpass that. I was initially sceptical of the ukulele, but I am pleasantly surprised. As the band has informed us, there is no guitar on the album at all, but an electric ukulele. The drums and bass hold their own and give the track a lot of rhythms, but the ukulele adds rhythm and a great balance to the mix. Similarly, with The Song That You Sing, I’m surprised at every turn but in the nicest way possible. As a fan of Rock n’ Roll, I must say that these guys will blow you away.
Up On the 13th Floor is such a vibe. The track slows things down on the album but has this very Psychedelic, Spacey feeling to it. Honestly, this is the kind of track you’d probably listen to when you’ve got a relaxed evening going on. It’s great to set the mood for a party because of how ambient it is. Ever Said, similarly, slows things down. However, I find the blues progressions on the ukulele is the highlight of this album for me. Never did I ever imagine a ukulele playing the Blues so perfectly. I’m blown away by this album and every single track just keeps getting better.
Riding High Again picks up the pace a tad bit but keeps the vibes flowing. This is the kind of track you’d probably hear on the How I Met Your Mother soundtrack. It fits a very specific theme that I can picture in my head and I can’t shake that anymore. Winchester 7 & The Runners are absolute geniuses. I don’t throw that around lightly, but how can you not when they literally make alternative rock with an instrument most would use to play Pop. Just when you think that that’s it, the band hits you with Arcade Days. This is the most Garage/Surf Rock track on the entire album. I can’t believe my ears when I hear that ukulele and constantly think it’s a guitar. I’m amazed by how creative this band is and you would be too!
Beneath The Moon and the Stars – Extended Version is absolutely sublime. I heard the original track, and let me tell you that the additional 25 seconds is exactly what the track needed. I loved every single moment of this track (album too) and it just goes to show that if you know what you’re doing, you can do anything. This track has everything I’ve mentioned before about the other tracks, yet it continues to astound me how Winchester 7 gets a ukulele to sound that way. The final track on the album features a bonus version of Beneath The Moon and the Stars that just absolutely kills.
Head On is the penultimate track and also the first of the two bonus tracks. It’s everything you want out of a bonus track. It takes the best of every part of Winchester 7 & The Runners and caters to your every want on the album. Moreover, the band really outdoes themselves at every moment during this album.
Be sure to stream Catcomb Songs today!
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Discovered via http://musosoup.com
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I listen to and make silly noises while analysing why people behave the way they do.
