Hello Reader,
Welcome back to Scummy Water Tower. I hope you’re well.
Elektra Records and 300 Entertainment present a new album from alt-rock quartet Quarters of Change. Yes, NYC natives Ben Acker (guitar, bass guitar, synth), Attila Anrather (drums), Jasper Harris (guitar, bass guitar, synth) and frontman Ben Roter (vocals, guitar) are back with an album’s worth of songs for your listening pleasure. The album, titled Portraits was released on Friday, January 26th via the aforementioned labels.
Portraits is the second album after the band’s debut album, Into The Rift (2022). One single from Into The Rift, “T Love” has millions of listens across music streaming platforms with it’s largest numbers from Spotify. Quarters of Change (aka QOC) released their first EP, Hey in 2020. The biggest single, “Kiwi” is even more popular on Spotify than “T Love.” The year after the Hey EP, the band released the New Hour EP. This output to me, is even more remarkable considering that several years ago the band was in high school practicing wherever they could including inside the school’s basement, honing their musicianship, sound and style.
Since the release of the album Into The Rift less than two years ago, QOC has been on an incredible rise including their first SXSW appearance, and a headlining tour last year with several sold out shows at exquisite venues. Along the way the band has gained notoriety and acclaim within the scene and giving more hope to many for the future of the alt-rock genre.
And now for some album hype for your ears!
“Heaven Bound” at the landmarked NYC venue Webster Hall. Home to a great political and music history:
(All credits and rights to Quarters of Change)
Skateboard visuals? Alright, sign me up. “Do or Die”:
(All credits and rights to Quarters of Change)
Another song where all of the band shines, “Hollywood Baby”:
(All credits and rights to Quarters of Change)
Overall, Portraits is everything you want an alt-rock album to be and to sound like. It is rocking. There’s a lot of drums, driving drums and guitars. Multiple guitars. The melodies on Portraits remind me of the 2000s rock, while not being copycat to existing songs, retaining plenty of the bands own style. Quarters of Change has a lot of charisma, and it shows through. After listening to Portraits, I’d say that the band seems to have made strides in the quality of their lyrics since their debut. There are prominent themes of addiction, depression, isolation and relationships. Kudos to the evolving songwriters and creating fantastic musical compositions. Portraits features a great use of hooks, refrains. Quarters of Change has found “their sound.” My disappointment lies in the record mixing. It’s a tad too produced. The mix takes away from their raw energy and musicianship and at times subdues the vocals. It’s not to the level of The Replacements album Tim (1985) mixing situation but I hope future QOC releases get a mix that is more favorable to their sound.
“What I Wanted” kicks off the album with some lovely drum work paired with multiple guitars. Frontman, Roter paints a grim picture with his lyrics that are reflective.
In the second song “Depression II” the vocals are more prominent then in the opener to me. The drums and guitars carry the melody well. “Heaven Bound” has a rocking melody. Perhaps the most danceable groove of the album so far. Catchy refrains and introspective lyrics exploring addiction.
“Turn It Away” features a strapping melody built on guitars, synth and drums from the start of the song. Striking refrains once again. The fifth song on Portraits, titled “Tightrope” has a great melody that takes me back to the 2000s. Some well used choruses are also heard in this song.
“Cherry Tree” is another groove melodically. The drums keep beautiful time. Guitars that dance about. The melody quiets at time allowing Roter space to deliver his stand out vocals. The lyrics are reflective, about missing someone.
“Do or Die” features additional standout vocals from Roter, and fantastically used synth. The drums and how well they pair with the vocals left me impressed. “Time Before Mourning” builds more slowly more than any other song on the album. There is no raucous instrumentation from the first second of the song. It’s a wonderful build. Again, Roter’s vocals and lyrics shine.
“Hollywood Baby” opens with a shimmering start. You hear jangly guitars and steady drums completing the melody. The song also features a memorable refrain used by Roter. The lyrics are frustrated and in more detail are about a strained relationship and the perception of time, and different eras. The band’s drummer, Anrather gets referred to twice. Voice of reason or chaos?
“Illogical Decision” showcases strumming acoustic guitar, yearning lyrics about love and vocals from Roter that increase in intensity before fading out. The last song on “Keep My Blood” features impassioned vocals over slow acoustic guitar to open the song, then the drums kick in to bring the melody to the alt-rock style we’ve been hearing for the album. A fabulous electric guitar solo starts in the middle of the song then the solo fades and you hear a cassette tape stop. Lovely, well-placed effect. The melody changes, you hear synth as the song and album comes to a close. Fantastic way to end it.
Portraits gets 4 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. The album is a very good album, and thus it is above average relative to other releases this year. A standout part of the album for me is the musicianship. Awesome guitars and drums featured on each song from the talented trio of Acker, Harris and Anrather respectively. And when Roter is on guitar, he sounds good as well. The album features great charisma and improved lyrics from frontman Roter. Sonically, specific to the mix is where the album could use improvement. There’s just a bit too much production. Every clip of audio I’ve heard of the band performing live sounds amazing, and in contrast, this album mix harshens QOC. Portraits is still an album worth listening to and adding to your collection. I’m looking forward to future releases from the quartet Quarters of Change.
Portraits Tracklist (song length)
- What I Wanted (4:57)
- Depression II (4:27)
- Heaven Bound (4:51)
- Turn It Away (3:30)
- Tightrope (3:01)
- Cherry Tree (3:58)
- Do or Die (3:05)
- Time Before Mourning (4:59)
- Hollywood Baby (3:06)
- Illogical Decision (3:06)
- Keep My Blood (4:55)
Total run time: 43:49
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. This process is usually an hour or less from start to finish. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on the album.
The bands socials, tour info and places to get the album, even a game based on the last album Into the Rift and more here on the band’s website here.
Thanks for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
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!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
