dataSlip – Tria – Album Review

From Bradley Martin’s home studio in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, comes the eclectic, wholesome, sounds of dataSlip. Predominantly a one-man band, their sound takes inspiration from a wide array of American music. dataSlip’s newly released album, Tria, is a mix of folk and country-rock, with some edgier hard-rock moments weaved in. Brought to life with the help of some top-notch studio musicians, this album is a joyful collection of original songs that cover everything from faith, to environmental activism and addiction.

The politically-charged opening track Eve of Destruction pt. 2 condemns the use of pesticides and their devastating effect on populations of birds and bees. It’s a passionate plea to reason; to cease this activity for the sake of our planet’s health. In a nod to the socially-conscious music of the Vietnam era, the track is delivered with elements of late-sixties psychedelic rock. With fuzzed-out blues guitar and an insistent snare march, this track would be right at home on stage at Woodstock ‘69. “It looks to me at 55 / We’re on the eve of destruction” is the grim observation made by Martin. Beefy drum fills help to build the intensity of the track which finishes with a blistering wah-wah guitar solo.

Dreaming in Nashville is a declaration of love for country music and the city for which it is named. Featuring the in-the-pocket prowess of drummer Jim Riley (Rascal Flatts), and the soothing twang of Brent Mason (Country Music Hall of Fame) on guitar, this track is smooth from start to finish. Bradley Martin’s voice soars during the chorus; carrying a beautiful melody and inviting the listener to share in his dream of playing the big stages in the home of country music. Bill Watson from NashvilleTrax co-produced this track and put his signature polish on it. Tight!

Footsteps: Axe the Magnificent is 90’s grunge all over. Driven by a snarling guitar riff, the verses grind away in a hypnotic 10/8 meter. Lamenting the loss of a treasured dog named Axe, this song is sad, raw, and full of power. The chorus opens up beautifully; stellar harmonies make the refrain soar and it feels as though we’re ascending to the heavens alongside the song’s inspiration. There is some scintillating lead guitar throughout too, courtesy of Tom Wild. What a rocking send-off for a beloved pet!

Freedom Walk (Sandi) is a truly stand-out moment on this album. Jangly open-chords and a throbbing bassline conjure up dreamy images of a summer’s day in this folk-rock gem. The lyrics tell a beautiful story about a dog named Sandi, who has been liberated from her six-year stay with The Humane Society and given a new family and place to call home. Strong melodic hooks and bold, colorful chord changes drive home this feeling of elation. You can’t help but be thrilled for this dog on her freedom walk home. The gorgeous line: “chasing butterflies in the field” is the perfect summation of the joy within this track.

The songwriting quality is extremely impressive on Tria. It’s honest and energetic music that covers a lot of territory. It has a distinctly homemade feel, but the collaboration between the different musicians gives Tria plenty of dimension and the production standard is very impressive. dataSlip is a band that you absolutely need to discover!

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BELOW: Check out our full artist interview with dataSlip, listen to Tria and connect with their website and social media platforms, watch their music video, check out their live show/tour schedule, and find their booking & contact information. Please support dataSlip by visiting them online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!