In this world, there are musicians who hunger for name recognition and fame, while others go nameless, preferring to let their concept and songs speak for themselves. The Faith Irons of Indio, California are the latter type. As a reviewer who likes and uses lots of biographical info and player credits, this presents a bit of a hurdle for me.
Though I usually review a group’s album separately from their back catalogue, I couldn’t help but notice that this band has three very similar releases in their discography: For No Apparent Reason, This Continues To Happen, and Yet We Continue On. Each EP four-word titles with four tracks each and similar cover iconography. When asked to talk about their music, they responded: “Four times a year. Four songs. Four words. For no apparent reason.” This statement of purpose is very similar to the late Frank Zappa, who famously described his creative method as “Anything Anytime Anyplace For No Reason At All.” Another comparison is that Zappa was a desert rat growing up, and this band claims the hot sands of Indio (on the road to Coachella) as their stomping grounds.
The three albums listed above were all released within three months of each other in 2022, with For No Apparent Reason being the first in the series. Producing and mixing chores are credited to the band using BonfireLA Studios in Los Angeles, California, with mastering by Ty Tabor at Allen Beans Studio.
After all the mystery and subterfuge, it was a little surprising to play the opening track “Come Out” and hear a band that sounds very much like the early, hard-rocking Alice Cooper band, including vocals (I was a huge Alice fan, just to be clear!). There’s two rhythm guitars playing in lock step, clean and crunchy at the same time, and the melodies and chord structures are hefty and inventive. Lyrically the guys are beseeching somebody (us?) to experience an awakening and renewal, though that renewal sounds a bit scary: “Come out from the desert, come out from the cold… Come out where the lies and the secrets are told / The rattlin’ teeth, the rattlin’ bones.” The guitar solo is my favorite type: both following the main melody line, and taking quick moments for killer licks and fast runs.
“Go Around” is a bit slower and more expansive, with the bass noticeably upfront (which reminds me: the mastering on these songs has been excellent so far). While the vocals still have that Alice Cooper vibe, the overall feel is more Jim Morrison, with a killer chorus packed with awesome harmonies and killer guitars, very much in the late ’70s style. Along with the bass, the drums also seem closer to the mic this go-round. Lyrically our lead vocalist is lamenting a relationship that doesn’t work together OR apart, which is great fodder for hard rock singing. Toward the end the guitar voicing moved high up the neck and gave me chills.
“Desert Sun” explores a bit more “commercial” pop rock territory, reinforced by double acoustic guitars, jangly electrics and excellent falsetto vocals. Yet again the beat is solid, and some of the toms have a deep, double-hit quality that really nails the tempo. The boys add an “acoustic lead” similar to what the Beatles did during the Help sessions, which is hard to pull off in a rock setting. This may be my favorite song.
“You’ll Stay” ends the set with the mellowest track yet, and one of the most traditional thematically in that our narrator is pining for his partner to come back: “I can’t find another, won’t find another.” The tone is amiable and inviting, but the need is real, perhaps underlined by the sweet feedback that follows the vocals and electric keys. Almost all artists write songs similar to this one (because this happens to most of us) but I gotta say that The Faith Irons made me believe their pain, while delivering an aesthetically pleasing track. Very interesting percussive choices toward the end as well.
Four great songs in an ongoing series! Check them out!
Heather Savage
