American rock band Pinegrove bare their thoughts with their record 11:11. The album progresses through subtle changes and highly powered riffs, while sticking to the sound they’ve honed since their inception in 2010. And when listening on, the signature sound pulsates and alerts the human spirit, pushing the listener into a state of thought and reflection. There is rage too here, not spiralling out of control, but it’s evident throughout the LP. At times, hope seems to be non-existent, and depressive memories flood the energy.

The record is engaging enough to stand the test. And it has those melodies, those ever-changing harmonies, cruising through every sinew of the album. The band also point to the sky, looking for answers to their frantic questions, playing music which becomes to their battle-cry, their homage to melancholy. Everything about this record works. It can be loud, it can be slow, it can be drastic, but all in all it is one to savour.

Breaking norms is what Pinegrove does. They work their sound to fit into the scene without any weak structures. They honestly play their instruments with precision, and they do it without pretension. Their work isn’t by chance, as they have enough talent to spread the wisdom, orchestrating their inner deep thoughts through a muse which is fully active.

Habitat starts the record off with a subtle tinge until the riff pushes through. The soft vocals then rise to a higher frequency. Lyrically, it’s a sad story, but poetically unique. Flora beams with acoustic flair, and the song progresses through different stages, showcasing the diversity of this band. So What yet again forms an acoustic chime and subtle drumbeats, making for a courageous output. The melodies have been perfected.

Pinegrove dream big here with their brooding songs. The band has perfected the sad song, and that’s not a bad thing.

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