Album: “I Don’t Belong Anywhere” by October Drift

Taunton’s finest October Drift are back after two and a half years with their second album “I Don’t Belong Anywhere”. Stacked with four quality singles, the remaining six tracks don’t disappoint either.

Beginning with the single “Airbourne Panic Attack” the explosive guitar salvo just about makes way for a clear, audible vocal which builds and builds right through to the chorus. Rat-a-tat drumming compliments the bass throbs and the clicky guitar lines – it’s all in there, a truly great opener that immediately grabs your attention. Kiran’s (Vocal/Guitar) vocal layering at the end is truly mesmerising as the clangy guitar lines just shimmer right through to its conclusion.

Recent single “Waltzer” bulldozes its way in like the October Drift sound of old. Kiran’s vocals here manage to lower the tempo, staying very much in the personal with story-telling lyrics. Once more the song elevates in the chorus with the layered dual vocalising right thru’ to its conclusion. What more can be said about “Insects” that hasn’t been written before? A crushing, thudding Alt/Grunge crossover that just works on so many levels. Their finest three minutes work if ever I’ve heard it!

“Lost Without You” just breezes in with a shimmering guitar part that allows for a confident vocal offering. Grating basslines from Alex (bass) in the background and a lyrical honesty that just grabs you in the chorus. One can’t help but detect a theme of relationship failure – the chorus alone just tugs at your heartstrings. ‘Bleed’ takes an altogether different course with a ‘Post/Burundi’ drumbeat from Chris (Drums/Backing Vocals), while Kiran again delivers more heartfelt lines. The bridge has that haunting, almost cinematic vibe where Kiran’s vocal kicks back in layer upon layer. Daniel’s (guitar) shimmering guitars then take centre stage as the song heads to its conclusion.

Another single “Webcam Funerals” employs more vocal layering on this radio-friendly number. Pounding drums allied to buzz saw guitars and a scratchy bass – the lyric “I’ll never get used to Webcam Funerals” is somewhat prophetic. The drum power drives the song to its big finale with the “wooh’s” becoming ever more prominent. “Parasite” reinvigorates the power briefly before Kiran’s heartfelt honesty shows thru’ once more. It’s the classic slow/fast formula here as the song lurches from one level to another. More buzz saw guitars with a searing, atmospheric squall in the background. The gravelly ending just grates but leaves one just wanting more.

“Ever After” is acapella with a (dare I imply) choral vocal part. Church organs come to mind in the background while the grating bass gently appears and sets the tone. Haunting in the extreme, the song builds and builds – dual vocals make themselves known but the overall ambiance of the song is dark and sombre. It ends with an eerie feel that wouldn’t be out of place on a Horror Movie soundtrack. ‘Old and Distant Memory’ evokes memories of many an October Drift encore where Kiran and Chris take centre stage with their now familiar acapella offerings. Deeply heartfelt and emotional, delivered over a simple but effective bass part. Latterly it rises above to a fuller, more rounded wall of sound that just grows and grows.

The album closes with “Feels Like I’m Home” – the thudding snare-driven intro is a foil for the vocal layering with a song that speaks more about returning from an exhaustive tour than anything prophetic. The wonderful chimes amid the shimmering guitars drown the bass, allowing the chorus to remain the focal point. And that my friends is album number two!

The band themselves describe this release as “a record about loss, isolation, helplessness, feeling like an outsider – but ultimately optimism and human connection”, and who am I to argue. And while I would describe their debut as an Indie/Rock album, this follow-up evokes memories of the finest Post/Punk bands of the 80’s era while holding onto their Alt/Rock and Grunge influences.

Track Listing
Airborne Panic Attack
Waltzer
Insects
Lost Without You
Bleed
Webcam Funerals
Parasite
Ever After
Old and Distant Memory
Feels Like I’m Home

October Drift Are
Kiran Roy (Vocals/Guitar)
Chris Holmes (Drums)
Alex Bipsham (Bass)
Daniel Young (Guitar)

Links
https://www.octoberdrift.com
https://www.facebook.com/octoberdrift

Article by Ross A. Ferrone