 |
| |
|
The evolution of the band, and our sound in particular, happened naturally. We became much more aware of the substance we wanted to include in our music. It was seriously propelled in 2003 when we stripped down to the current four-piece and Wil and I started to write songs that had more personal meaning to them. It is actually very strange and completely unintentional that we have followed them from Vonnegut's story.
-Sean Canan |
|
|
| |
|
Photo of Kurt Vonnegut by Jack Mitchell
Thick melodies, spectacular rhythm, and brilliantly crafted lyrics consume the album as it battles itself through darkness and evokes a sense of calmness and clarity. The stand-out track of the album, "Reverie," embodies the journey that we embrace as people. It scuttles along in a playful manner with pop-induced lyrics that are as thoughtful as they are insightful, balancing back and forth from a darker heavier interlude that ultimately brings you back full-circle to the start of the ride. It is the kind of song that you put on repeat, and it never really gets old. You just approvingly nod along in agreement, muttering the last line, "Can I ask you what you mean by real?" Perhaps the most appealing attribute is the complexity of the material. The words themselves tell a story that seems to roll across without a deeper dimension or hidden meaning, but it is when you truly look at the history of the band and hold it up to the light that you see this ongoing theme that is as simple and as complicated as life itself. The great thing about "jam" music is that it is usually crafted by incredibly smart individuals for other smart individuals who need more from their music. Bockman takes the cake in this case. Not only do they cover the very wide spectrum with their sound, but they induce deeper thought in those who listen to their music. One can be certain that with Bockman, there is much more then meets the eye.
Bockman by Matt Kanable |
Perhaps the biggest challenge still lies ahead for a band whose complexity makes it that much more difficult to categorize. They have two albums under their belt that sound nothing like each other and a current sound that evolves directly in front of its audience - a respectful and unique technique that makes it hard to place the band in a specific "scene." Regardless of mass radio appeal, Bockman has still carved out quite the contingent by hosting a yearly festival called The Campout. Growing in size every year, Bockman reaches out to its closest fans and friends by organizing and producing the event itself, which eliminates restrictive barriers on the sound and the community. As each year grows in size and with everything overseen and run from within the organization, it is quickly becoming one of Missouri's most anticipated yearly events, both for fans as well as for local bands that have a knack for creating a sound that is "outside of the box."
Bockman |
The next few months will find Bockman back in the studio working on a new album and furthering the evolution of their sound. With this album being produced from by Wil Reeves, Bockman fans will undoubtedly get a heavy dose of hauntingly beautiful lyrics that address the trials that all of us go through on a daily basis. Sometimes dark, oftentimes danceable, and always crafted to perfection, Bockman is just getting into their comfort zone. As we as a people evolve over time and things become a bit more complicated, I believe lines will fuse together: racially, politically, and ultimately, musically. Bockman is one of very few bands that realize this, and the fact that they refuse to march to the common beat makes everything just a bit more tolerable. One might even go so far as to say "Everything the band stands for is Gorjus."
JamBase | Missouri
Go See Live Music!
|
