The Rope - Collection
On May 3, The Rope will drop a new LP called Collection, on the SwissDarkNights label. It’s a fine album.
The Rope
The Rope is Jesse Hagon (vocals), Michael Browning (guitar), Sam Richardson (guitar), and Ben Rickel (drums). Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the band was formed by Jesse Hagon in 2010, with a slightly different line-up. They dropped their debut EP in 2011, followed by a music video for “Water to Wine.”
Personnel changes occurred, and Ben Rickel took over on drums in 2014. Then in 2015, the band dropped their second EP, Waters Rising. According to the band’s page on Bandcamp, The Rope will drop another album at the same time as Collection, which has 12-tracks. The second album is entitled Lillian and encompasses 10-tracks.
Self-described as “an atmospheric, yet driving rock band influenced by the Post-Punk sounds of the late 70's and early 80's,” the band’s sound revolves around new wave, dark wave, and alt-rock elements.
Collection is a wonderment. There’s not a subpar track on the album. This band has it going on in a big, big, deluxe way.
Must-hear tracks include “Silence,” opening on pounding percussion, followed by the entry of lapidary guitars. A hefty bass line drives the rhythm, along with rumbling drums. The mood and feel of the tune, dark and muscular, is mirrored by Hagon’s wickedly sumptuous tones, full of buff timbres.
“Water to Wine” features deliciously rolling drums and shimmering energy, as Hagon’s scrumptiously mannered tones infuse the lyrics with yummy flavors, compact and tight, but evocative. Seething with tsunami-like harmonics, “Jericho” thrust forward on potent textures rippling with brawny colors.
“Poison Pill” rides lightly droning synths topped by a pulsing bass line, infusing the intro with starkly austere momentum and hues. When the guitars jump in, the melody takes on intense ferocity, like linear laser beams. “Annie” travels on sheening synths, beefy drums, and scintillating, flowing guitars that project glittering accents. The torrential feel of the harmonics is gloriously infectious.
“Before the Knife” is reminiscent of Duran Duran crossed with Depeche Mode, along with the addition of oodles of streaming sonic oomph.
Collection is a wonderment. There’s not a subpar track on the album. The Rope has it going on in a big, big, deluxe way.
