With a name inspired by a line in poet Jesse Bernstein’s, “No No Man”, Yellow Line Music‘s craft is—with no surprise—unique and eclectic.
The outfit consists solely of Brian Ackley, a Seattle transplant from a small-town, who moved to the big city with plans of finding a tribe with which to collaborate and explore the musical cosmos. As time rolled by, collaborators came and went. It wasn’t long before Brian realized if the music was going to be made—he would have to go it alone.
The idea of being a solo artist did not sway his focus as evidenced by the ambient releases of 2011’s TransIterate, and 2012’s LFA. Now, his latest project, 2017’s Almost Something, sees Ackley returning to a more traditional approach to songwriting.
“Almost Something is me purging these songs that had been hanging around, needling me from time to time to be completed.”
—Brian Ackley of Yellowline Music
Here’s what we dug most…
Drag The Harbor is irony in song. The result of an extended immersion into the work of Tom Waits, the song’s dark subject matter (i.e. murder by way of a cold watery grave) can’t be taken all that seriously when coupled with its rather infectious rhythm and groove. The chorus harmony and wandering electric guitar solo combine to form a composition that’s just too damn fun to ignore.
With little more than an acoustic guitar, in The Same, Ackley articulates the end of passion and what occurs, “…after polite nods have replaced the flame”. The track is gentle and sincere…
“Remember when our phrases, glistened like strings?
Now the tone just stunts our bones, like weathering rain
I know I’m not, quite what you dreamed
And time will find a way, to wear thin at the seams”
Our Favorite Track:
Undertow brings an ultra-chill, mid-90’s-alternative vibe. The rolling guitar, bass, and percussion are complemented rather brilliantly by electric notes—panned into the right ear on high reverb—which come and go throughout, changing the entire landscape of the song.
In true indie-music spirit, and with no strict adherence to any musical rules, stylings, or genre, Almost Something‘s subject matter is often heavy and dark—though not at the expense of the music. If your musical taste is somewhat adventurous, nonconformist, and with a flare for the unexpected…than this album is for you.
Whose lovechild…?
A surreal and dark blending of Morrissey and Leonard Cohen.
BELOW, you can listen to Yellow Line Music’s album, Almost Something, and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Yellow Line Music by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
Listen to Yellow Line Music’s album, Almost Something:
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