King Ropes, of Bozeman, Montana, has released their new LP, Idaho, and it’s already a standout favorite of 2024 for Rock the Pigeon. The album blends a variety of sounds, capturing the essence of an American adventure on your own terms. With its unique fusion of indie rock, indie pop, shoegaze, and Americana, Idaho is sure to resonate with fans across genres.
The album kicks off with the laid-back, irresistibly catchy anthem “Two Shoes,” guaranteed to put a bounce in your step. The track features experimental guitar riffs, a playful drum and bass groove, and effortlessly smooth vocal melodies that keep things sonically delightful from start to finish. The standout hook delivers the memorable line: “Delilah thinks she’s pretty funny, honey, Head in the clouds and goody two shoes.”
The experimental guitar work continues on “Radio Jane,” this time delivering a Western flair that fills the speakers. The mix gives equal prominence to the guitars and vocals, inviting the listener to shift focus between the two and creating a deeply immersive experience. This balancing act is a rare achievement, often missing in pop music, but King Ropes nails it. The track’s simple yet unforgettable melody and refrain linger in your mind: “Radio Jane on the radio, Radio Jane in your car, Radio Jane on the dance floor, Radio Jane at the bar.” The song concludes with an explosive guitar solo, drenched in distortion and feedback, slicing through the speakers with raw, organic energy. This climactic moment adds a powerful emotional layer, making “Radio Jane” a standout for listeners.
“Way Too High” is a standout favorite on the record, and it’s definitely one of my favorites. The song kicks off with the vocals landing right on beat one alongside the full band. With its grungy undertones and laid-back vocal delivery, it exudes a cool, effortless vibe. While the focus is primarily on the vocals, the band weaves in moments of guitar soloing and playful chord progressions that add texture to the track. The lyrics have a psychedelic quality, leaving us intrigued and pondering their meaning: “There’s a kid in the ditch at the side of the road just needs a push and off he goes,
There’s a beast in the garden with the one that I love how much is enough,
There’s a beast in the garden with the one that I love how much is enough.”
It’s the time to get lost in sound. After the vocals conclude, the band dives into an electrifying jam session. The music intensifies with each passing moment, as distorted guitars and thunderous drums propel the track to a powerful finish.
The next track “Broken Cup” stands out with its unique blend of indie pop verses and a Western-style sounding chorus. Its poetic lyrics captivate the listener from start to finish, leaving listeners pondering the life experiences of songwriter Dave Hollier. One vivid image lingers: “the fire across the river.” The song closes with a fiery jam session, where the bass and guitar unleash feverish riffs, showcasing their incredible performance talents.
“Live Like an Animal” opens with a groove driven by bass and drums before a classic rock ‘n’ roll guitar riff bursts onto the scene. The vocals follow suit, delivered with the same high-energy, rock ‘n’ roll attitude. During the verses, the band takes a step back, leaving space for the vocals to shine as the drummer keeps the momentum alive. Between verses, the band breaks into lively jams, creating a dynamic track that’s as fun to dance to as it is to listen to. The highlight of the song is the lead guitar tone, perfectly dialed in to bring just the right amount of grit and flair. Don’t miss the guitar solo that plays halfway through the track. The band was inspired by ZZ Top for the writing and performance of this song. They were also inspired by their late night drive through New Mexico, while making it to a motel in Albuquerque to rest for the night. “It’s 2:00am after a gig, we’re driving a totally desolate stretch of road, and I was like, ‘Alright, guys. This is the time to take a deep dive into ZZ Top,” Songwriter Hollier recalls. “A couple days later, we were in the studio and the guys were just like, ‘OK, let’s lean into this ZZ Top thing.’ “Lyrically, it’s pretty simple,” Hollier adds. “It’s kind of a fuck-off song. I don’t want to be told what to do.”
The next track, “Ride in Your Car,” is a melancholy tune that references the album title, perhaps hinting at one of the record’s central inspirations. This Americana song, steeped in a rich Western flair, features stunning slide guitars and a heartfelt vocal delivery that captures both heartbreak and lingering love. The emotion peaks with the line: “I think about the time we broke down in Idaho, I should have stayed but I left you there like a jerk,” making the ache of a breakup all the more tangible. This song is about asking for another chance and it feels quite sincere.
“Ride in Your Car” flows seamlessly into the next track, “International Shortwave,” another heartfelt ballad showcasing breathtaking guitar work. The song feels strikingly raw, evoking the intimacy of a live performance. The tremolo-soaked guitars add a haunting quality, tugging deeply at the listener’s heartstrings. This song feels very experimental and gives the record a nice break from drums.
“Succulent Thief” is a playful track with comedic lyrics, telling the story of a girl who’s addicted to stealing succulent plants. On a deeper level, it feels like a metaphor for her personality, empty and searching for something to fill the void within. Musically, the song has a laid-back, lo-fi vibe with a raw, live feel. It’s a dreamy, whimsical tune that captures both the lighthearted and introspective elements of the story behind the girls’ personality.
The succulent thief she’s got a real bad habit
She always think’s she’s got to take a piece oh the succulent thief
I knew her before the very first leaf
She’s a little bit empty mostly sweet overgrown and still incomplete
Now there’s nothing left to lose
You know her blacks and white’s have turned to greens and blues
Insatiable sickness this evergreen will
She’s got a hole too much can never fill
Look in her eyes there’s nothing there
She gets everything from the very air she breathes.
– Lyrics from Succulent Thief
The album concludes with its title track, “Idaho.” The drums and lively guitars return in full force for this moving song about traveling through harsh winter weather while on tour. Time in the van can feel endless, especially when the cold makes everything outside seem uninviting. The band reflects on their journey through Idaho, even mentioning the town of Coeur d’Alene. The song intensifies during the bridge, where the lyrics describe a random woman smoking a cigarette in a parking lot, and the band joins in for powerful gang vocals. With its tremolo guitar and emotive vocals, the song carries the album to a powerful finish.
Listen to the incredible album “Idaho” by King Ropes on Spotify now:
Written by Ryan Cassata
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The post King Ropes’ Idaho: New Album with Lyrics that Paint Pictures of Heartbreak, Adventure, and the Road appeared first on ROCK THE PIGEON.