Singles Spotlight:
Sam Slick – “Tumbleweeds”

Hello reader,

How are you today?

We’re excited to discuss another musician creating great music: Sam Slick. He’s a new name to me, but after hearing a few songs, I knew that more people should hear his work, including our lovely SWT audience. A recent album press release sums up his bio succinctly, saying that Slick, “is an Americana and roots singer and songwriter recently relocated to Westerly, Rhode Island. He made the move East after spending eight years in Los Angeles, where he and his band released two albums and a handful of singles while playing throughout the Southwest from California to Oklahoma. Slick walks a tightrope between classic folk rock and modern alt-country, all the while writing songs with a fervent commitment to original lyrics and effervescent melodies.” Did that garner your interest? I hope so.

Those two releases are Some Vibrant Dream (2019) and The Diver (2022) and are worth checking out at their respective Bandcamp pages. And recently, this month, Slick became a first-time father, and within a week, released his greatest musical yet, in his third album on March 13th, titled After the Dream, Before the Memories. That is one helluva week! After listening to each song a few times, I’m excited to talk about it in general and, more specifically, within our Singles Spotlight format. The songwriting is spectacular, exploring themes of time very thoroughly, heartbreak, and modern life in a relatable, profoundly beautiful way. You’ve got plenty of thought-provoking lyrics alongside a bounty of hooks and some great harmonies. All paired with gorgeous melodies that wind from folk to more jangly Americana, indie to points of Southern rock, and more. The band has never sounded better individually and as a unit. Kudos to the band: Jacob Adamson, Julian Curelop, Daniel Goldblatt, and Hannes Kling, as well as noted producer and mixer Adam Lasus (Helium, Yo La Tengo, Mark Mulcahy, among many other artists) for his guidance and imprint on the album.

The album’s press release leaves us with this: “After the Dream, Before the Memories does not exist in a temporal void, and nobody should dwell in the fog of reminiscence or dread the wide open future. These songs strive to strike enough of a balance between the two with an appreciation for the present moment.”  Wise words that have been said many ways over the years by philosophers and common folk alike. But these words were spoken with a perspective we should all strive for and remember, right?  Never forget to stop and smell the roses as you move through life is the verbiage I recall hearing in high school.

Giving credit where it’s due. Who was part of this album?:

• Sam Slick – songwriting, vocals, acoustic guitar, Omnichord (2), 12-string electric guitar (2)
• Jacob Adamson – vocals, electric guitars
• Julian Curelop – vocals, bass guitars
• Daniel Goldblatt – drums, percussion
• Hannes Kling – keys (1,3,5-9)
• Produced & mixed by Adam Lasus at Studio Red, North Hollywood, CA
• Mastered by Sam Stauff
• featuring:
  Carlos Vargas – pedal steel (3-6), dobro (6)
  Billy Lupton – mandolin (6)
  Phoebe Silva – violin (8,9), vocals (8)
  McKail Seely – vocals (8)
  Nick Brower – cello (8)

Taking a deeper look into one song in particular for today’s Singles Spotlight, we will focus on my favorite song on the album, “Tumbleweeds”. At least right now. I think it will be among your favorite songs on the album. “Tumbleweeds” is a gem. According to the album’s press release, “Tumbleweeds” is an ode to life in Joshua Tree with his wife during COVID. This song is a love letter to living in the desert, away from the pressures (mostly self-imposed) of success in life, where we could instead enjoy a slightly aimless but absolutely beautiful existence. Life doesn’t often go as planned, so this one is all about embracing what you discover when you don’t follow your long-held goals.”  And it does so without being pretentious. The lyrics are heart-on-sleeve in the best ways. The lyrics are delivered well, not in a way that would make listeners sad or depressed, or make them want to turn off the music, as some songs do. You’ll leave wanting more. The melody is warm and inviting, starting with a propulsive drum opening, some steady and also spectacular notes from both the guitars and the bass, and, in addition, the melody features gorgeous harmonies and pedal steel, and Slick’s own unforgettable vocal tone. I think it’s an outstanding introduction, Sam Slick, and this album. Listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

Check out “Tumbleweeds”:

or via the generated Sam Slick Topic YouTube channel:

(All credits and rights to Sam Slick)

Right? Like what you heard? Get the album here in the format(s) of your choice, including vinyl and digital.

The cover art for After the Dream, Before the Memories:

The track list for After the Dream, Before the Memories:

1. Golden Coast (4:45)
2. Pine Box (3:04)
3. Life’s Too Short (3:33)
4. Great Apple Fire (2:59)
5. Tumbleweeds (3:49)
6. Reluctant Mirror (4:41)
7. End of the Line (3:42)
8. Ballad of a Coward Flower (5:42)
9. Different Hunger (4:10)

Alex M Theel

Co-Founder, Reviewer, Content Creator, Business side, Editor at Scummy Water Tower Productions | Web

Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com