Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties – We Don’t Have Each Other
Review by Nick Yacovazzi
Dan “Soupy” Campbell has become an icon of modern pop punk. The teacher-turned sad song enthusiast singer of The Wonder Years has taken the genre by storm since the release of the band’s sophomore album The Upsides. Fusing punk vocals with melancholy lyrics, Soupy has become one of the most notable vocalists of his kind, with or without the beard.
So it comes to no surprise that Soupy’s newest project, Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties, would draw quite the attention and acclamation. We Don’t Have Each Other, which is Soupy’s creation of a character, Aaron West, and his journey, stands to show us that the art of storytelling is not dead, and that Campbell, is merely the narrator for this lost soul.
The album starts out with “Our Apartment,” an introduction to the life of Aaron West, who reflects on his time in Brooklyn, and how his relationship with his wife has drawn to a close. Recollecting over an orchestra of banjoes and mandolins, the album sets the tone that the life of Aaron West is an uphill battle from start to finish.
As the album progresses, we begin to understand a bit more about the complexities of Aaron West. His coping with struggles of religion, relationships, and family gives listeners a way to relate universally. With weeping acoustic guitars layered over syncopated vocals, the album is an overwhelming catharsis in both Campbell’s lyrics and the band’s ingenuity.
Campbell has masterfully executed a record with not only a varying instrumental innovation on each track, but each song is an episode of Aaron West’s life that ties itself to the previous, which builds our understanding and healing through the album’s progression. Campbell isn’t afraid to shout with joy on tracks such as “Runnin’ Scared” while bringing the record to its darkest places on songs like “Divorce and the American South.” Each track will encourage you to stretch outside of your comfort zone and develop of sense of understanding and hope for both Aaron West, and perhaps yourself.
We Don’t Have Each Other draws on a wide array of influences. Mixing an eclectic group of instruments ranging from mandolin, horns, various percussions, and guitar stylings. It stands as the backbone for the record’s story and the events that occur
It is also evident that the record is influenced by Campbell’s career as The Wonder Years’ front man. With an extremely similar vocal style and the ability to use recurring themes throughout an album, Campbell is no amateur to orchestrating concepts within concepts.
Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties will have you laughing, singing, crying, and reflecting throughout nine short, yet profound tracks. The evolution of Aaron West’s strengths and flaws is told brilliantly through Campbell, and he has brought us a character that we will come to know and love.
Overall Rating : 4.5/5
Recommended Tracks: “Runnin’ Scared” and “You Ain’t No Saint”
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