All Time High Make Some New Friends
Imagine: Shortly after their gig at Bob’s Country Bunker, Jake, Elwood and the rest of the Blues Brothers trek north and west to the rainy climes of Seattle for the fabled “next show.” Upon arrival they find themselves at Adrian’s Flannel Shack, where they purport to have both kinds of music; grunge and alternative. Hilarity ensues.
If there really was an Adrian’s Flannel Shack, the name on the marquee outside would be All Time High. Fronted by VALIS bassist/vocalist Adrian Makins — who here plays guitar — the band runs through a warming 12 tracks of pop-based heavy alternative rock on their Small Stone debut, Friends in High Places. It’s not actually grunge, thanks largely to the production of the venerable Jack Endino, who does an excellent job of making it sound like Makins, fellow guitarist Sam Williams, bassist Steb Brown and drummer Matt Vandenberghe (also of VALIS and since replaced by Bryan Garfinkle) have showered within the last week.
It needs to be said: Nirvana. There. Now it’s out in the open and we can proceed through the rest of this review without the elephant in the room. A strong Incesticide current runs through “Pollyanna” and “No Mind,” but All Time High’s heavier low end and classic rock tendencies give a richer context to the material than can be summed up in a comparison to any one band. That said, if you were to blindfold me, lock me in a room somewhere without the bio, play “Earthquake Bee” and ask what city the band who wrote it was from, I’d probably say Seattle, even if the bassline toward the end of that song reminds me of “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver” by Primus.
VALIS guitarist/vocalist Van Conner — who featured All Time High and other regional luminaries on his Northwest Mind Meld compilation last year — shows up on no fewer than three tracks with backing vocals, and Endino himself serves in a likewise capacity, joining Makins on highlight cut “Twistin’ the Knife Away,” “New Urge” and “Already Gone.” But more than the guests, what’s notable about Friends in High Places is the blending of pop structures, driving riffs and a thick bottom. “No Mind” has plenty of starts and stops in the chorus and is just one of any number of memorable, catchy songs on the record. Even “You Can’t Kill the Messenger,” the intro to which has the strongest sonic link to VALIS and in particular the track “Under Satan’s Will” from 2009’s Dark Matter, leaves a strong impression despite a moodier approach than some of the album’s more upbeat material.
Closer “Astral,” which seems to come after a break following “You Can’t Kill the Messenger” (a couple quiet seconds between the two make it a really clear distinction), works its way in bass first and ends Friends in High Places on a nearly psychedelic note. Still structured, but perhaps less rigidly so than some of the other songs, its lead guitar lines seem to reach into some great beyond, and as the track nears its apex, the album finds one of its most satisfying moments in its last.
Acknowledging that the commercial heyday of Seattle’s alternative rock scene was nigh on 20 years ago now, All Time High show it’s still possible to use the form as a means to a new end and not just needlessly remake what’s already been done. Sure to find favor among those who grew up around their hometown’s signature sound, Friends in High Places’ appeal is by no means limited to that. Its solid, heavy rock execution and accomplished, accessible songwriting results in a satisfying listen whether or not you’re a fan of the style that birthed it. Straightforward rock just waiting to be joined for some good times. Recommended.
