http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iBn-idaQJk

(Adapted and updated from a post for Visit Eau Claire from 2012)

In my previous post, I mentioned the first time I experienced Adelyn Rose’s music. Since then, they have become a mainstay in the local music scene here in the Chippewa Valley, even winning the “Best Rock Band in the Valley” award from the readership of Volume One in 2013. That night that I first heard them, they were the opening act and played only a few songs. When my family and I had a chance to see them again the next summer, they were the main event, headlining the concert that night, and they have now toured various regions throughout the U.S.

Their growth as performers has been evident in the several times I’ve seen them since that first set. What has been even more evident is the potential for greatness that lives in them. And, I don’t mean that they will sell a billion records (maybe they will, and I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if they do). No, I mean there is incredible artistic and creative potential living inside of them, the kind of stuff that could produce some profound and meaningful art.

I also hear this potential in their first full length album, “Mezzanine,” which was released last year. It is not a perfect album, and the band would be the first to tell you that. I had the chance to meet with Addie Strei and Dave Power from Adelyn Rose shortly after it’s release. Addie compared the album to “looking at baby pictures.” I thought that was a great analogy. The album, in my opinion, is well worth the $9 or $10 you may pay for it, but it is only a foggy reflection of the greatness that resides in this band. Still, there are songs on the album that really speak to me. My favorite two songs are “Chords” and “Never Get Tired.” In “Chords”, the driving piano is reminiscent of what drew me to Coldplay’s “A Rush of Blood to the Head” album. There is an emotional intensity in these two songs and throughout the album. In this musical layman’s opinion, these two songs are worth the cost of the album by themselves. There is an intimacy and vulnerability in the album that certainly draws in this listener.

Addie said that the songs on Mezzanine were pretty old (at least to her) and are not even really representative of where they are now as a band. So, she and Dave both expressed their excitement about the album they were about to record at the end of 2012. From what I understand, they have recorded that album and are now working on editing and the rest of the finishing touches. I cannot wait to check it out myself… You can listen to the first track, “Primitive”, off the new album on their Bandcamp page: http://adelynrose.bandcamp.com/.

I’m really excited about the future for these guys. The next big step for them is opening up for Volcano Choir at Schofield Hall at UWEC next Saturday and Sunday (October 19-20). Volcano Choir is the internationally touring band including Jon Mueller, Chris Rosenau, Matthew Skemp, Daniel Spack, Justin Vernon, and Thomas Wincek. So, this is a great opportunity for Adelyn Rose to be heard by a larger audience. And, this can only lead to good things for them.
If you’d like to check out Adelyn Rose’s music for yourself or get more information about them, here are some places you can do just that:

https://www.facebook.com/adelynrose
Adelyn Rose (Spotify)