The Firmary is a band with roots in the Cleveland, Chicago, and Los Angeles alternative scene. William Weaver, Joshua Nelson, Adam Probert and Douglas Esper met through various creative outlets and together they form The Firmary. The band includes in their modern rock and alt sound electronic embellishments and synths to create a web of gritty outtakes that feel like something that would come out of the ‘90s and ‘00s on their latest album Soft Reboot. They reminded me of Nirvana, Minus the Bear, Airborne Toxic Event and more. With compelling vocals coming from the lead singer and driven instruments from the rest of the band, The Firmary have a sure-fire recipe to get you riled up!
Soft Reboot begins with “Blink Of An Eye,” where some wonky electronic vibes and synths come in with full-on guitars and it was definitely an assault to the senses. Once the lead singer’s vocals arrived, I was reminded of such bands like Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins as well as more modern acts like Airborne Toxic Event. The vocals are pretty gritty and I thought it worked great with the music. Up next is “Gates Of Heaven,” where some simmering instrumentals get you in the mood to move around. The lead singer’s vocals are jam-packed with tons of character. I thought this was a very moody track as the guitars soar in the background. There was an eerie vibe to this song that I thought definitely added to the atmosphere. A wall of guitars enters the sound on “Gasp.” On this track, the lead singer’s vocals are low and whispery. With a raspy cadence, he belts out the lyrics with feeling. I liked this moody song that I thought was bursting with emotional power. Some synths roll into the intro of “Rusty.” Eventually, some instrumentals arrive for a blast of sound. Here, the lead singer’s vocal styles reminded me of The Cure.
On “Skin Deep,” some searing synths and airy guitars roll in. Next, the instrumentals become full-on for a rollicking alternative and hard rock vibe. This track was definitely filled with moods and flavors that I thought were deeply intoxicating to listen to. On “Forever (Yet Never),” a shimmering and melodious sound comes from the instrumentals here. Once the combined vocal harmonies arrived, this felt like a departure from the band. Here, the band exhibits their softer side. Some more synths and feedback come in on “Wine And Gold.” Next, some meandering guitar riffs enter for a sauntering groove. This proved to be a slow burning track. Once the lead singer’s vocals arrive, this certainly clinches this. I thought this moody track was a great way to close the album.
I think The Firmary definitely has got something here. The energy in their performances points to a group of musicians that gel well together. Their chemistry and rapport are evident in these tracks as the players jam to their hearts’ content. I thought this was a great start and I look forward to seeing more from this band!