Review Summary: The beauty of the flood
Approximately 6 hours after the release of All The Stories Left To Tell,
my basement flooded. A lot of my recording equipment narrowly survived, so naturally we had to use it again as soon as possible.
Reflecting on this statement from Domestic Terminal, it makes
The Flooded Basement EP all the more powerful. Shortly after almost losing the very thing that brought around a deeply personal and emotional record, they turn right around with a beautifully written acoustic effort of new songs and renditions. Full of gorgeous guitar passages, smooth vocal harmonies, and light, soft rhythms, Domestic Terminal’s latest release is simple yet impactful.
Throughout the EP, the guitars dominate the soundscape with tranquil chord progressions and mesmerizing leads that accentuate the atmosphere. “Curveball” and “Chalk Dust” feature rhythmic strumming with captivating melodies that lay the foundation of each track and drive the instrumentation along fluidly. The arpeggiated chords of “Flooded Basement” and “Raindrops” glide along as each note reverberates beautifully through the track. The drum work, though simplistic, supports these guitar passages in a grand way, never overpowering nor underwhelming. With its soft playing style of subtle ghost notes and gentle cymbal grooves, the drums provide a wonderful groove, only increasing in intensity or volume to amplify the passion in “Jeremiah Tried” and the end of “Glitter.”
Complementary to the beautiful instrumentation, the vocal melodies and harmonies across
The Flooded Basement EP are truly remarkable. From the subdued passages of “Jeremiah Tried” to the grandiose combination of multiple sections at the end of “Raindrops,” the vocals showcase the reflective moments of the EP in a powerful way. Though it was written after a time that almost ruined the opportunity to record, the lyrics reflect on the darker moments in a way that looks positively toward the future. Lyrics like
”Hope your offer still stands, cause I’d love to keep warm” from the title track and
”Let’s go live our forever after” from “Glitter” show a growth amidst the hardships that looks beyond just the problems of the present. Even “Chalk Dust,” with its reflection on the impact of words from others in earlier years, has a hopeful undertone with its notably more energetic and upbeat style compared to the original, emphasizing this idea of growth and maturity that the EP displays.
After almost losing so much,
The Flooded Basement EP plays out like a triumphant return. With its reflective, but positively-driven, lyrics and beautiful acoustic compositions, Domestic Terminal showcases their softer strengths throughout this powerful effort. Even with the simplicity of the stripped sound,
The Flooded Basement EP feels full of emotion and grand atmosphere.
