Review Summary: "Don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I can't wait."
Des Moines’ 515 (five-one-five) released their debut EP There’s Gnome Place Like Home in early 2014 and returned to the studio later that year to create Good Onions, the group’s second effort. Fortunately, the short time away from the studio still leaves 515 feeling fresh with new ideas and a greater production value to boot.
“Tomorrow” could be paired with “What Could Have Been” (from There’s Gnome Place Like Home) in representing a more ‘traditional’ 515 sound. Fuzzy guitar chords open the track and are joined by the rest of the band before transitioning into a swooning verse. These sections are incredibly buoyant with emotions ranging from uplifting (“Can’t wait for summer to truly start, it’s gonna be amazing.”) to romantic (“Holding my lover’s hand in the moonlight.”). With a similar amount of glee, the chorus also features shimmering guitars and a bass line that persistently climbs a major scale. A dreamy bridge follows and is pulled back into reality by Spencer Jenkins’ soaring vocals. Troy Ikeda’s keyboard slowly chimes on, closing out the track. It’s blissfully optimistic.
“Identity” shows 515 advancing their sound into unheard territory. A hypnotic triplet guitar figure floats in the foreground while Michael Gedden’s relaxed bass line creeps around behind it. Good Onions’ great production starts to show its face during an incredible surge of power into the chorus. Jenkins’ vocals truly shine during this track with a significant boost in power, especially when he roars “And I need to realize that things change with time.” Choppy guitars and a punching bass stand below and give the vocals proper support with an echoing guitar surfacing towards the end. Unfortunately on repeated listens “Identity” seems to drag on a bit in the final sections, but a track this ambitious is commendable.
“Undone” begins with a chunky bass, quirky handclaps and a chugging guitar line. Ikeda’s keyboard really pops during a verse somewhat reminiscent of Vampire Weekend’s “Holiday”. After an admittedly average chorus comes a guitar line from Kyle Burgess that can’t seem to stand still, all the while Gedden’s bass sways in the background. The track, as a whole, is pretty middle-of-the-road compared to 515’s complete catalog and is likely the most forgettable track on Good Onions.
A jazzy drum solo opens up “Enjoyment Song” and gives Shane Burgess one of his few moments in the spotlight on Good Onions. The guitars on this final track feature a sort of confident swagger similar to There’s Gnome Place Like Home’s “G Blues.” Jenkins also gains a boost of confidence boasting lines such as “Favorite jeans got a hole, but I guess they have a little more soul.” The chorus features a charming horn line that, while minimal, works in the bands favor. The song rises to a climax while Jenkins pleads “Come with me” and eventually winds down with a wandering trumpet and relaxed chords.
Good Onions is a great progression for 515 in both songwriting and production value. With two Eps currently under their belt, hopefully 515 will continue raising their own standards for themselves and continue creating great music. The chorus from “Tomorrow” says it best: “Don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I can’t wait.”
