Who Are These Guys? ‘Carver’ By Carver Commodore Brings In A New Wave Of How To Experience Indie-Rock

Discovering Carver Commodore was purely by happenstance when I saw them open for Gable Price and Friends during their 'Jungle In The City Tour' stop in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Their raw vibrating energy, matched with the frequency of delight in how they were playing that night, pulled me in. Since returning to the US after being away for a year (in the UK and Australia), I’ve been looking for something stateside that matched the experience, energy, talent, and a sickeningly amazing rock n' roll vibe I’ve grown to love overseas. 

And Carver Commodore was what I was looking for and hoping to hear. It was perfect timing for me to randomly pick that show to go to, as I had never heard of either band before that night. 

The five-member band comprised of Payton Pruitt (vocalist/guitarist), Phillip Blevins (guitarist), Noah Freeman (drums), Clayton Christopher (guitarist/synth), and David Smith Jr. (bassist) make up the friendliest rock n' roll band from Alabama. Together, they rip it up on the stage, getting lost in their music where you feel the passion and the drive as they shred, sing, shout, and get the audience involved from start to finish. It's intoxicating, and we love it when an indie rock band goes all the way in. This is why we can officially tell you that how they sound recorded on the new album is exactly how they sound live. 

You get one thrilling experience. After I shared a video from the show we attended on myInstagram story, it got a response asking, "Who are these guys?" due to their big sound, rockin' stage presence, and Clayton jumping off the stage into the crowd playing some wicked guitar. We want you also to get curious and ask the same question, “who are these guys”; and begin your journey listening to the group. There's no better way than to introduce you to the band, by taking you through their latest release, ‘Carver’. It’s a spectacular album that wasinspired by a few of our other favourite musicians, such as Arctic Monkeys, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, Nick Cave, Djo (Joe Keery), and Tame Impala.  

The ten-track project is quite stunning, and it’s hard to stop listening to it since it came out on the 13th of September. It’s thoroughly impressive with the lyricism, the diversity in sonic delivery, and the production of each song. 

'Wave' as the opening number for the album was an intelligent choice; it's loud, speedy, grainy, and sarcastic, built on top of such a cool backtrack. "God has numbered the days of your kingdom / and he has brought it to an end". After the bridge in the song, a listener will get pulled into a frenzy of the bass line becoming more syncopated, and the part we love the most is the panning between the two rhythm guitars. It makes for an unforgettable and juicy listening experience. 

Further on in the album, 'IN THE VALLEY' leans into a bit more of a western, country-rock twist on a sweet, lonely lullaby. It feels like a heavy, warm blanket wrapped around you whilst you stare outside at the stars on a cold fall night - comforting, trusting, and loving as you embrace the fact that the love interest that the song circles around is desperately chosen and longed for even in the most trying conditions. "And every day we roam / the land we call home / with vultures up above / no matter where we go / I'd rather be here in the valley with you / than at the top of the mountain on my own". 

The listener can also expect fun and exhilarating hard hitters that present a bit of a punk twist with microphone vocal distortions, thunderous rhythm line that will make you move and groove with a bit of a "so what" attitude, heavy and fast power chords, epic guitar solos and a bit of pedal effects throughout the album too. 'F.O.M.O' brings a chaotic energy that is so huge and indie-rock that it is one of favourites sonically and lyrically - it's just good kickin' fun. "Sabbath on a Sunday / souls need savin' / but nobody is around / m-m-m-madness on a Monday / it's quiet, too quiet / I'm freaking out". 

Another one to point out is 'STONE COLD STUNNER'. The song opens with frenzied rhythm guitars layered over each other, heavy breathing, and quickly sung lyrics that create buy-in and beg you to enjoy the ride. This is a piece we can easily imagine being synced in a coming-of-age movie as the group is getting ready for a big night out or before a heist - something that deserves a significant show-stopping pause and build-up of energy. "I put my time in / and showed her that I love her / and that I'm the only man for her / on Earth or Mars". 

If you aren't invested in this rock band from Alabama yet, you need to immediately change that. Their sound, stage presence, energy, and attitudes on and off stage prove their friendliest rock n' roll band brand. ‘“Friendliest”’ doesn't mean not to expect a bit of true rocker edge and grit when they perform; they'll rock your socks off. 

Don't take our word for it; check out the new album, and make your way over to the US to party with them, or maybe in the future, they'll be in your corner of the world.

Tyra Baker

@got_tyra

Image: ‘Carver' Official Album Cover