by Noa Samson
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Remember Sports; the only other review I’ve written for Undrcurrents is a story about crying while listening to All of Something, so you might call me the site’s resident Remember Sports correspondent if you’re feeling generous. Like a Stone is the band’s fourth album (their third on Father/Daughter Records), and it’s an excellent step forward for the group that builds on the ripped from the heart energy that defines their discography.
There’s a sonic clarity that distinguishes Like a Stone from the band’s earlier, more lo-fi records. The higher fidelity makes the riffs and raw emotion that propel Remember Sports songs even more searing than previous recordings. Especially on leadoff track “Pinky Ring”, the band sounds more dynamic than ever before; with each piece of the band given room to breathe, the recording displays a newfound sense of depth and texture.
Carmen’s voice has a lilt that does impressive heavy lifting, curling around words and carrying the weight of complex melodies. Her lyrics mix deep and stinging hurt with self-reflection and a hint of optimism. “Sentimentality” shows both growing pains and maturity as she sings “I’m scared of my changing mind, and maybe love isn’t making you decide”, and country closer “Odds Are” deftly intersperses funny quips (“why’d you eat that lime after it made you barf last time?”) in between earnest post-heartbreak musings.
A few blink-and-you-miss-them short songs dot the album, though they are far too good to miss. “Coffee Machine” is an early interlude, perhaps what a Remember Sports music box would sound like. Title track “Like a Stone” is equal parts heart wrenching and danceable, and “Falling Awake” is an adrenaline shot of breakneck pop punk that begs to be played loudly on repeat.
As a whole, “Like a Stone” shows new sides of Remember Sports while still remaining true to their beloved brand of bittersweet, honest rock; this one is sure to be in heavy rotation this summer.