Eric Barlow: "Raving At The Wall" - OUT NOW!
Today I present you with the final Sound Cove digital single for 2024: "Raving At The Wall" from Eric Barlow. Here is a private Soundcloud link to stream the track before it's official release date of Friday, November 1, 2024 on all streaming services (it will also be on The Sound Cove Bandcamp page on Wednesday, October 30th):
https://on.soundcloud.com/r2q8HPRFQMkXTrLr5
I've also attached the cover art, as well. If you need a photo of Eric, please let me know and I'll send it right over.
Here's the skinny on the new release:
Eric Barlow returns with his second Sound Cove digital single, “Raving At The Wall”. A textbook example of what Robert Pollard refers to as the 4 “Ps” of good rock (prog, psyc, pop, and punk), this blistering 3:14 power pop track sizzles with crunchy guitars, 70’s style synths, and Barlow’s real life lyrical experience.
Sure to appeal to fans of 60’s era Kinks, 70’s Black Sabbath, the Cars and Small Faces, the song features the full gamut of musical ear candy, including some well-placed backwards guitar riffs and soaring harmonies. It’s also a first of sorts for Barlow, utilizing double tracked vocals and synthesizers to broaden the sonic palette. With the main guitar riff soaking up vibes from Revolver era Beatles and Better Can’t Make Your Life Better era Lilys, Barlow makes “Raving At The Wall” all his own, switching from syncopated verses to a driving chorus with ease, as we vicariously live a day with Barlow while he navigates the NYC subway system and a confrontational commute during peak COVID 19 times. The lyrics address the homeless problem, and the mental illness that often accompanies homelessness, from several different points of view. For Barlow, it is also deeply personal, as it was a momentary look into the eye of a homeless person that caused him to pull a knife on Barlow, and, as Eric understates, it surely “ruined his day”.
Eric Barlow grew up in New England and was involved in the Boston music scene. As a member of The Banjo Spiders in the late 90’s, he toured the East Coast, released several singles, including “Gilligan’s Daughter”, which was reviewed in Billboard. In the 21st century, he co-founded the terrific power pop band, The Great Bandini, with Scott Janovitz. Eric was very active in Boston, also working with David Minehan, Paul Kolderie and Jake Brennan, and then relocating to NYC in 2006. In NYC, Eric has worked with PT Walkley, The Robin Electric, and Swoon.
“Raving At the Wall” is part of the forthcoming 2025 Eric Barlow full length release, Still Moving Parts, and The Sound Cove is thrilled to be able to partner with Eric and release this absolutely glorious piece of power pop rock!
Lyrics:
Mundane B train, sleeping in a grave
Catch his eye and it could ruin your day
Dismal humming is all that remains
Mundane B train, sleeping in a grave
Sunday prayers are getting nowhere...
And he’ll say what he’s not supposed to say
Taking a life again today
They say that they’re going to take him away
There ain’t no weight to the things they say
Fallen now in to disrepair-shout aloud but the devil don’t care
Bad dreams, blood streams - yet another bad scene
And he’ll say what he’s not supposed to say
Taking a life again today
Waiting for the ceiling now to fall
See the young man raving at the wall
Watch this guy get knocked around
See him get tossed about
And he’ll be riding all night
Raving at the wall
Going nowhere - Once again unsafe unsound
And he’ll say what he’s not supposed to say
Taking a life again today
Waiting for the ceiling now to fall
See the old man raving at the wall
He hopes you'll call
Track credits:
Drums played by Matt Burwell
Drums recorded by Scott Janovitz at Appletone Studio in Arlington, MA
Mixing by Scott Janovitz at Appletone
Mastering by Mike Quinn
Artwork by Myles Vandermolen
