Music Review: On My Mind by Gunner Fore and the Interstate
Favorite tracks(s): “On My Mind,” “Ashes”
Least favorite tracks: “Time to Kill”
Favorite lyrics: “For the Best”
Of all the bands I’ve listened to throughout my time in Lubbock, Gunner Fore and the Interstate was never one of them — mainly because our time schedules never matched up. I was underage when they would perform at 21+ bars, and I had just moved away when the married couple finally made their move into Lubbock. So, when I began listening to the album, trust me when I say I went in completely blind with absolutely no bias.
One thing I thoroughly remember thinking each time I would come across a photo on Facebook was: wow, that’s a lot of people! it was such a big band, so I didn’t know what to expect if I ever got the chance to listen. And despite not knowing anything about it, I just knew there would be a great amount of effort and passion put into the music they create since so many people are invested. This album was the proof behind that ideal.
A lot of work was put into the album, and it’s clear as soon as you listen to it. For the most part, the instruments and lyrics both remained strong throughout the entirety. Overall, it the album was put together very well. It was evident, song after song, each individual was taking their part seriously and putting in the best effort they had — nine songs in a row. Plus, many of the songs’ lyrics contradicted what was expected from the many instruments it incorporated — and that was probably the coolest thing of this album. None of it was cliche. It was just real.
A mix between folk and punk and grunge, it’s not even easy to describe what exactly the album sounds like because there was just so much put into this art they have created — you’ll just have to listen for yourself.
Track reviews.
1. Blame — Good and safe song to introduce an album
The track was enjoyable, though it may have been misplaced. It felt like it was more of a safe song than it was one of their top songs on this album — a song that wouldn’t turn away any listener at the start of a brand-new album (which was smart) — though it was a good song, nonetheless. The intro was well-done and captivating, but again, played safe. Additionally, the lyrics had depth to them, and it wasn’t just someone trying to rhyme meaningless words with one another like it seems most song do these days, but instead, had emotion put into it. And the rhythm of it was easygoing and catchy. Overall, the acoustic/folk vibe it encompassed — which I will enjoy nearly 10 of 10 times.
2. Okay — Keys make the song
The intro to “Okay” was a lot like the intro to “Blame” — safe but still good — until the keys faded in. This truly changed the rest of the song. The melody of the keyboard was a fantastic, but simple, addition that evoked a completely different emotion than before. On the other hand, the weaker point of the song was its lyrics. The chorus was redundant, without much depth — BUT the lyrics didn’t need much depth to make the song good. The song was just so catchy and so easy to replay over and over, the lyrics could have been anything.
3. Guard Your Heart — Game-changer song
This was easily one of the best on the albums. The lyrics were a bit more in-depth and emotional than the first two of the album; the electric guitar was incredible; the melody was catchy; and the vocals here were stronger than the first two songs, so this song was truly the game-changer.
4. On My Mind — Cello and backing vocals make for incredible addition
Tied for my favorite, “On My Mind” was unreasonably good. Between the guitars and keys, it was enjoyable. But the addition of the cello and the backing vocals made it that much better. There was no doubt that this was going to be one of my favorites, only four songs into the album. Everything about this song — the rhythm and harmony; the instruments and the vocals — was so incredibly good. It was definitely the odd ball out from the rest of the album, but that’s what made it so good. There was risk, and there was adventure, and it was evident.
5. Happy to be Alive — Contradicting, but good
The intro gave a mix of vibes between Darius Rucker’s Wagon Wheel and Front Porch Step’s Drown — two songs I really, really enjoy. The rest gave me, solely, vibes of Drown. Ironically, this was about the happiness of being alive (at least for today) — and certainly contradicted the feeling most pop punk-like songs portrayed. It was a good contradiction though. Like “On My Mind,” this song wasn’t necessarily like the rest of the tracks. But, again, it was a good change, in good placement.
6. For the Best — Emotive and easy
This song easily had the best lyrics of them all — and this is important to a person who is lyrically-driven. Anyone who listens to it would be able to tell there was so much feeling put into it. The melody and beat of the song was different from the entire album in a good way.
7. Ashes — Intro and outro have outdone itself
This song easily the best intro and outro without any competition. The blend of the bass and drum was truly phenomenal. There’s no other way to put it. As someone who is lyrically driven, to enjoy a song just because of the instruments is a lot — especially when the lyrics were just as good. Of all the songs, this was probably the darkest in its lyrics, but also felt the most genuine and most real. Overall, this song was very clearly well-thought-out.
8. Time to Kill — Progressive rock vibes
This was my least favorite song of all, though it was even hard to choose a least favorite song. The bass remained strong, which was definitely fantastic. But the intro and the melody put off a “Radar Love” vibe, and 70s progressive rock is not my favorite genre.
9. Love —
Like “Ashes” the outro was very, very good. The vocals were smooth and consistent. The bass line remained strong throughout the last three songs, but especially in this song, which made it a very good ending to the album as a whole. It was easy to listen to. To put this song at the end was the smartest placement of all.