All Them Witches - Sleeping Through The War Review ⚡️

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A bluesy-psychedelic reason why you shouldn't fall asleep on this crusade of sound!

Expectations are always high after success. Following their meritorious breakthrough third album: Dying Surfer Meets His Maker, the Nashville four-piece All Them Witches execute with dignity and grace, reminding us that they’re not a one hit wonder. Sleeping Through The War continues to showcase their southern swagger of bluesy, soulful, hard psychedelic rock charm.

Yes, it may reflect a desire to crush it on every song like their previous juggernaut of an LP, however that leap that most bands aspire towards after becoming eminence in their grandeur, is always a challenge. I’m speaking directly to the band when I say that your fourth album is still a wonderful collection of songs. (It kinda reminds me of when Alice In Chains released Jar of Flies, which was the follow up to their brilliant masterpiece: Dirt. Most of the songs on the album were memorable, while others were good.)

Delivering masterful pieces of art, time and time again is almost unheard of, so there’s absolutely no reason to sleep on this beauty.

How is the sound?

As nature shall begin in life, so shall the opener ‘Bulls’. A climactic serene journey we experience on why All Them Witches kill it! Bassist-vocalist Charles Michael Parks Jr. magnificently lulls us into hypnotic relaxation, guitarist Ben McCloud guides with bluesy power, drummer Robby Staebler chills us through fills and concentration notes channelled of sweet molasses, Allan Van Cleave’s keys trip-out the dramatic voyage.

‘Don’t Bring Me Coffee’ is a playful little ditty. ‘Bruce Lee’ brings a charged energy of straight forward electric blues. ‘3-5-7’ re-enters the void. Thick soulful crushing skull swagger, roll us the seductiveness we love to inhale. A sonic gospel harmony sends chills deep, as Parks is backed by Caitlin Rose, Tristen, and Erin Rae (the trio join forces throughout the album).

‘Am I Going Up?’ continues the gospel, and it’s charged with a heavy infernal blues language that rises from the soil and swamps of the south into the soul of the musicianship pumping sorcery wisdom. Mythic witchcraft ambition captures the mood of the blues with pitch-perfect delivery.

‘Alabaster’ is a demonic righteous preacher of a jam. Thick, heavy, stravaging sensuality through a full fuzz guiding thread. Everything about this song is why Dying Surfer brought us back time and time again and how we Met His Maker.

‘Cowboy Kirk’ does much of the same as the other gems on this record. Crushing through light swamp soulful fuzzy blues. Parks’ warm welcoming tones and jazzy jump baselines, Staebler’s on full kit rhythms of punchy groove attack and a sound expression of hardships one might feel, Van Cleave’s the key wizard dosing souls effortless, and McCloud’s down-home earthy cookin’ of an electric blues guitar.

Shutting down the album with ‘Internet’, we form an envisage into free movement. Straight up old school rock and roll accompanied by Mickey Raphael on harmonica. The song fades into melodic reverie, possibly telling us: you, the listener, may seek instant appeal, so take time, listen closely — ‘cause All Them Witches venture like a worm of ambition, gnawing at their creative gut.

Why is this album worth listening to?

It’s the follow-up to Dying Surfer Meets His Maker.

In what situation you should listen to this album?

Lost in a forest, accompanied with a chronic infused pastry.
3am… moments after the keg is kicked, in some outdoor party, somewhere away from where the cops could cause a problem.