A unique musical venture delivering a fresh cacophony of indie-rock and classic rock soul, Winchester 7 & The Runners offer an electrifying mix of electric ukulele, steady drums and bass to create a musical world that is absolutely unique to them. Caught between Atlanta, Amsterdam and the UK, the band have been building a loyal fan base for years, and now, with the release of their new album, they’ve well and truly capitalised on all their hard work and momentum.
Built from the musical talents of Winchester 7 (vocals, ukulele), Phil Voorhees (bass, synths), and Jack Kane (drums), the band’s new album is a committed and impassioned blend of sharp indie rock with more expansive alternative and surf-rock vibes, stripping away the old, jagged aesthetics and pushing a more sonic, sprawling sound that is sure to resonate with every listener.
Billed as a ‘society-dissecting indie alt-rock’ record, ‘Catacomb Songs’ is a vibrant musical thread that pulses with new-age cynicism and fierce satire. Musically, it’s an album of bold movements and exploratory elements, shaping psychedelic vibes, space-age synths, and emotionally charged lines to create an explosive and undeniably entertaining release.
Speaking about the album, the band explained, “We released our previous EP, ‘Argos Holiday’, last year on December 17th to limited fanfare due to the pandemic. In the following months, we made the best use of our time, took to our home studios and worked via Zoom to produce a follow-up. ‘Catacomb Songs’ is certainly pandemic influenced in places, especially Riding High Again, which was written in memoriam of a good friend that succumbed to alcoholism during it. However, there is also a message of hope and inspired joy that is directly related to the normalcy we found playing together, albeit apart, amidst the lockdowns and travel bans.”
A stunning blend of strong ukulele riffs, rich drumbeats, and vocals that twist and turn to perfectly reflect every theme and emotive echo, ‘Catacomb Songs’ delivers in every way, carving out a new path that is original, satisfying, and filled to the brim with fresh rock atmospheres.
Score: 8.5/10
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