Bob Green’s latest album, Silver Screams For Silent Screens gives listeners a fresh perspective on the intersection of life and music.
The record explores the broad themes of life, love and self-discovery. In just 7 tracks, Green experiments with a range of genres, drawing influence from the areas of rock, pop and even folk. Taking a deeper dive into the record there is a lot to admire about this work, from Green’s strong vocal range, excellent songwriting abilities and superb musical ingenuity.
Starting off with “Next Full Moon,” this folky rock jam introduces the record as a force to be reckoned with. The chorus plays, “Don’t wanna lose this chance with you/ Got something I’ve got left to do/ Promise it won’t take too long and I’ll be back real soon/ The stars will align just give me a tell by next full moon.” This song is equally fun as it is edgy, building a solid tone for what’s still to come.
“Unknown road” comes through with major punk-rock vibes and delivers a great mixture of sensitivity and musical intensity. The bridge plays “It’s a roll of the dice/ Just a flick of the wrist/ You can end up so high/ Or deep down in the ditch/ But life is just a game/ And how you play/ Do you keep it safe/ Or take up your aim.” The song moves to call out our own doubts and insecurities, questioning what comes next, how do we get there and perhaps most importantly, do we have what it takes to see it all the way through.
Sultry in style, “Whiskey, Weed and Wine” offers a more laid-back sound, but packs a hard, emotional punch. It goes, “Pour a flask as red as my blood/ Just let it flow like rivers that flood/ And from the streets out to the mud/ know all I did I did it with love.” The vocals in this track are beautifully understated, rich in texture and purely authentic. The song delves into the inner turmoil that comes with a heartbreaking love story.
To round out the album, Green’s “Pirates Life” gives an interesting, rock twist to the classic seafaring tale. It plays, “Time to set sail yes men all aboard/ Load up your pistols and sharpen your swords/ We’ll lose some battles but we’ll win the wars/ Show no fear and earn your rewards/ Yo-ho/ Yo-ho/ Yo-ho/ It’s a pirate’s life.” Coming straight out of “Whiskey, Weed and Wine,” this song feels like a kind of resolution when it comes to navigating the uncertain and treacherous waters of love and relationships.
Beyond his innate understanding for fusing genres, Green’s expansive set of vocals are a definite highlight of this work, adapting to the needs and emotion of each individual track. While the themes are tried and true, Green leaves a healthy amount of room for interpretation, throughout the record. The whole album reads cool and down to earth, while still being incredibly thought provoking.
If you haven’t checked it out yet, wait no further!
Reviewed by Francesca Creavey