WizardOfWaffles
Well-known member
Sebastian Rochford's latest album, 'Finding Ways', is a poignant exploration of loss and creativity in the face of adversity. The record follows his 2023 duo release, 'A Short Diary', which tackled the death of his poet father, Gerard, in 2019. This time around, Rochford has sought out new sonic textures to channel his emotions.
The album features a diverse cast of collaborators, including seven studio-mixed electric guitarists, including Tara Cunningham and Adrian Utley. However, it's Rochford's own distinctive chemistry with the musicians that remains the most compelling aspect of 'Finding Ways'. His music often veers unpredictably between rhythm and melody, creating an exhilarating sense of tension.
The opening track, "Maybe", sets the tone for the album, with a frenetic riff that gives way to atonal improvisation. Other standout tracks include "Being Outside" and "Community", which showcase Rochford's ability to distill his rock-punk teenage influences into something more nuanced and introspective.
Throughout 'Finding Ways', Rochford is on a personal journey of self-discovery, reflecting on his experiences over the past quarter-century. The album's subtle shifts in tone and mood suggest that this may be just one chapter in a larger narrative – a story that promises to unfold with each successive release.
As we wait for Rochford's next move, it's worth revisiting some of the other albums mentioned in our 'Albums of the Month' section. Emma Rawicz's debut album, "Incantation", is a stunning example of saxophonist virtuosity, while Dog Soup's "Fragments" recovers a lost Loop Collective classic with thrilling results. Meanwhile, Donny McCaslin's "Lullaby for the Lost" operates at the outer reaches of rock-saturated jazz intensity – a sonic experience that demands close attention and repeated listens.
The album features a diverse cast of collaborators, including seven studio-mixed electric guitarists, including Tara Cunningham and Adrian Utley. However, it's Rochford's own distinctive chemistry with the musicians that remains the most compelling aspect of 'Finding Ways'. His music often veers unpredictably between rhythm and melody, creating an exhilarating sense of tension.
The opening track, "Maybe", sets the tone for the album, with a frenetic riff that gives way to atonal improvisation. Other standout tracks include "Being Outside" and "Community", which showcase Rochford's ability to distill his rock-punk teenage influences into something more nuanced and introspective.
Throughout 'Finding Ways', Rochford is on a personal journey of self-discovery, reflecting on his experiences over the past quarter-century. The album's subtle shifts in tone and mood suggest that this may be just one chapter in a larger narrative – a story that promises to unfold with each successive release.
As we wait for Rochford's next move, it's worth revisiting some of the other albums mentioned in our 'Albums of the Month' section. Emma Rawicz's debut album, "Incantation", is a stunning example of saxophonist virtuosity, while Dog Soup's "Fragments" recovers a lost Loop Collective classic with thrilling results. Meanwhile, Donny McCaslin's "Lullaby for the Lost" operates at the outer reaches of rock-saturated jazz intensity – a sonic experience that demands close attention and repeated listens.
i love how the guitar work is so eclectic and unpredictable, it keeps me on my toes! the way he balances melody and rhythm is pure genius. 'being outside' is giving me major feels lol the whole album feels like a journey of self-discovery which i think is really relatable, especially after reading about his past releases 
gotta check out that collab with tara cunningham too! 
. and thats with all these different guys playing guitar together, its still Rochford's sound shining through.
, sometimes you're feeling one thing and then BAM! its something entirely new. anyway, gotta give this album some serious love - its not perfect but its real 
- it's like they're having this secret conversation that we get to tap into. And I love how unpredictable it is - one minute it's a banger, next minute it's like, what just happened? 
he's takin' all these emotions from losin' his dad and his teenage punk days and turnin' 'em into somethin' so beautiful... the way he blends all those different sounds is like nothin' you've ever heard before! I mean, 7 studio-mixed electric guitarists? That's wild 
- like, he's not trying to control every single note or beat, but instead just letting his emotions flow through. It's really inspiring to see someone be okay with being unsure, you know? And I think that's what makes 'Finding Ways' so special - it's like a reflection of our own messy lives & struggles 
. I mean, who else could make electric guitar sound like... well, like nothing at all 
?
I just listened to Sebastian Rochford's new album 'Finding Ways' 
and it's honestly so beautifully painful 
and that guitar work? 
. And I love how he's still findin' ways to push the boundaries of what he does - it's like he's always on the verge of somethin' new and excitin'. Definitely worth checkin' out for fans of the genre 
. What I love about this record is that it's not just about the heavy riffs and drums - there's so much depth and vulnerability in the songwriting. And I'm totally intrigued by all these different collaborators he's brought on board 
... it's like you can hear their individuality shining through in every track. Anyway, if you haven't listened to it yet, give it a spin - trust me, it'll resonate with you 
. The guitar riffs are insane 
can't wait for what's next from him 
can't help but wonder what inspired him to go for a more experimental vibe this time around 
still loving Emma Rawicz's "Incantation" though - that saxophone work on the intro is absolute magic 
it's like sebastian is pouring his heart out on every track. i love how he's experimenting with new sounds, but still stays true to himself - it's like he's finding ways to heal through music 
and the fact that this album feels like a chapter in a larger story is just genius 
can't wait for what's next 