Review Summary: Prince & Beggar triumphs across as broad of an Alt-Rock spectrum as their antonymic name might suggest.
This past year has been tough on the entertainment industry with celebrities being exposed for alleged sexual misconduct. The alternative rock community was not spared with acts like Brand New and, to some extent, Pinegrove going down. 2018 could be a year marred with more devastating noise or it can be welcomed as a cleansing of recent wounds. Enter Prince & Beggar, who create a record that is too short to be a full length album and too long for an EP. What is certain about this release is they have done just enough to make a damn good first impression. From the anthemic outro in 'Phoenix Come' to the atmospheric freight train that is 'King Ghost', Prince & Beggar triumphs across as broad of an Alt-Rock spectrum as their antonymic name might suggest.
The record takes off with 'Flight School', a gritty track with whipping drums and blistering guitars. Just when you think you’ve categorized this a typical punk song you are met with a verse driven by spoken-word and a compelling bridge. “What are you still doing here, you’re supposed to be miles from the wreck” is repeated more vigorously each time which becomes infectious by the end of the track.
Prince & Beggar consistently display versatility in their sound throughout the album which is a quality many bands take years to develop. Songs like 'Stay Awhile' step away from the angst-filled tunes and offer a groovier vibe. The band creates a sound that the Red Hot Chili Peppers have taken all but iron to stone in attempts to recapture in recent years.
The band has not limited its efforts to merely expanding on its influences. They offer truly unique experiences on tracks like 'Circle Birds' and 'Phoenix Come.' Positioned back-to-back, these two songs are the highlights of the album. 'Circle Birds' introduces a strong female guest vocalist who is debilitated by her stagnant relationship. The listener is then treated by warm instrumentals and an uplifting chorus on 'Phoenix Come.' The result is a skillfully crafted dichotomy of emotions that are incredibly relatable.
2018 brings an opportunity for us to either sulk about fallen idols or search for new ones. Whether we catapult ourselves to either end of that spectrum or slip into complacency, there is one truth: “We carry on.”
