The album 12 by the band White Denim in fact contains twelve songs. However, that’s not the rationale behind the title – it is also the twelfth studio album by the US-American rock band. I had the opportunity of listening to the record before its release on 6th December 2024. Here is my review.
White Denim – About The Artists
White Denim are doing a mixture of different rock music genres. For example, there are indie, progressive and even Southern rock elements in their music. Founded in Austin, Texas, in 2005, they released their debut album Workout Holiday in 2008. So far only three of three of their albums made it into the album charts. Corsicana Lemoade (2013) and Stiff (2016) both peaked fourth in the US Heat. The 2018 album Performance was also a Top 25 album in the United Kingdom. Their current lineup is James Petralli (vocals, guitar), Cat Clemons (guitar), Steve Terebecki (bass), Michael Hunter (key) and Matt Young (drums).
White Denim – 12 – Track by Track
The twelve song album lasts 39 minutes.
1. Light On
Already the opener Light On points out the direction of the album. There are blues, folk and other Americana influences in the song. You also find progressive rock elements. Thereby, Light On feels rather jazzy. Sounds confusing? I would agree. In my point of view, the song is pushing for too much complexity. It is very demanding – and that’s what makes me struggle about it.
2. Econolining
Econolining is a easier to digest. First of all, the song is comparably short (2:26 minutes) and then, there is a rather straight melody line with not too many harsh breaks. It is far distance from being fluent, but at least a less contrasting and alternating song.
3. Flash Bare Ass
After I stated that 12 is complex and demanding, Flash Bare Ass feels like an alien on this album to me. The song features a rather straight and easy melody. The lyrics are rather on beach party level – the title is already suggesting it. Thus, the song might finally get more fans than other ones on the album.
4. Cat City #2
The following 45 seconds are taking by Cat City #2, an interlude with a soulful and funky flavor.
5. Look Good (feat. Tameca Jones, Jessie Payo)
Using more positive words, White Denim present a very versatile twelfth studio album. There are surprises everywhere. One of them is the enjoyable track Look Good, which is not only striking with a strong touch of funk. The two female vocalists Tameca Jones and Jessie Payo add a lovely additional sound to the voice of James Petralli. The song is coming with a very nice instrumental performance as well.
6. Second Dimension
When I get lost
I can find myself
In the second dimension
The very groovy Second Dimension is one of the highlights of the album 12. It feels a bit of hidden at first listen, but the song is unagitated in a very positive manner. On top of strong groove, there are some nice melody lines in here. The backing vocals are a bit of schmaltzy, though.
7. I Still Exist
When I listened to the first tunes of I Still Exist for the first time, I first thought that this one is leading into a Christmas song. Luckily, White Denim do not present this kind of song in here, but a rather flowing, melodic song in 1970’s style. The song feels a bit too lengthy, the result would have been better if the band would have gone for less investment into the track, but therefor turn it into a more crisp listen.
8. Your Future As God
These 3:16 minutes are a song, which I can hardly relate to at all. The individual sections cf Your Future As God feel very nice, but they are not harmonic at all. It’s just a bit too much.
9. Swinging Door (feat. Finom)
For the song Swinging Door, White Denim shared the studio with the Chicago based band Finom. It’s another song which rather feels having a nice touch at beginning. But then, you lack finding the special elements in it. A climax in the middle, a catching bridge, smart lyrics passages or a finale with a bang – the ninth track of 12 has neither of them.
10. We Can Move Along
We Can Move Along starts like a progressive rock track, but more and more moves towards a jazzy track with saxophone elements. Again, there are parts of the song, which really make me enjoy the listen. But I am not brave enough to consume it as a whole.
11. Hand Out Giving (feat. Eric Slick, Jared Samuel)
For Hand Out Giving, White Denim invited two guest musicians again. The song has a country heart, but also comes with clear pop element. The nostalgic touch, in composition and record, leads to additional beauty in here.
12. Precious Child
The last song the 2024 White Denim album starts slow, dreaming. The brass sounds in the background nicely contrast with Petralli’s fine voice. The chucker-out is a perfect example how beautiful the music of the band can be – of they focus on their core elements.
White Denim – 12 – Spotify
Here is the album on Spotify:
White Denim – 12 – My View
A cake does not get better if you put in numerous kinds of flour instead of the only one stated in the recipe. That’s a bit of my impression of 12 as well. White Denim wanted to be too virtuous, too experimental, pushing their music too limits – and thereby forgot that it is also about the people who finally want to enjoy their 2024 musical cake. The album has numerous really lovely parts and sections, but overall, it is simply too much.
Favorite Song: Hand Out Giving
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