Four years after their last release, 2016’s Cherry Chrome, Columbus alt-rock four-piece Cherry Chrome returned with their debut full-length album on April 6, 2020. Place of Love clocks in at just under 34 minutes of dreamy yet energetic and spunky alternative rock music, and it’s clear from the first listen that these songs have been created with much time and attention.
Cover photo by David Holm.
Place of Love has been in the works since early 2018, according to posts on the band’s Facebook page. The time taken is evident in the nine carefully-constructed songs on the album – these songs were not haphazardly thrown together, but they were built with deep heart and attention.
The music is sometimes reminiscent of the alternative rock of the late 1990s. The album’s title track, for one, features punchier guitar riffs and bold, sliding vocals backed by a steady drum voice. On some tracks, the guitars (Xenia Bleveans-Holm and Mick Martinez) and bass (Amina Adesiji) grow just a little bit fuzzy and gritty in a perfect balance with smooth-yet-bold vocals (contributed by every member of the band) and strong percussion (David Holm), like on “Sorry (I Want You So Much),” an infectious and bright-sounding track written by Columbus musician Lydia Loveless.
Other tracks reveal a dreamier timbre, like the swaying melody on “Daisy Chain” or the hypnotizing echoes and harmonies on “Acid Sea,” a track that previously appeared as a demo on the band’s self-titled EP in 2016. Still other times, Cherry Chrome’s music feels a little bit lighter and falls more on the jangly side of alternative rock.
Whatever its tone, the music feels vibrant throughout with strong vocals, colorful guitars and consistent percussion. Cherry Chrome never seems to rush or strain to achieve a certain vibe, and each of the songs uses a different combination of layered sounds. From the beautiful harmonies that sound almost like one voice on “Acid Sea” to the guitars and crickets on “Rooftop Drummer,” the resulting record is one that feels intentionally and carefully crafted (yet never forced).
Place of Love is comprised of nine songs that deserve more than just one listen from start to finish, and each listen reveals new intricacies and details. Cherry Chrome’s music is rich and engaging alternative rock, and Place of Love is a fittingly vivid debut.
Listen to Place of Love below or on Cherry Chrome’s Bandcamp page.
Originally published on Indientry on April 9, 2020.
Abby Jeffers 