Breathe Underwater With Salmon Doza
Groovy, catchy and even mystically cyclical, Maintenance has me diving head first into the fluid mind of Salmon Doza where their baited hooks keep me suspended between worlds.
Album Art by: Taylor Bates
Did I say baited hooks? Let me clarify. Sam Mendoza’s hooks don't just catch- they tease, rotate and soar. Sam Mendoza never fails to put something out that won’t rope me in. In addition, you might find yourself contemplating as I did all of the seemingly circular patterns deftly woven throughout this record. In a way, it’s like walking down an unfamiliar path with the feeling of having walked it prior.
Deja-vu? Maybe. Captivating? Definitely.
The first and last track are good examples of what I am trying to get across. Unfamiliar but familiar, similar but opposite. In fact, in name; the titles are written in reverse order. Firstly, “Everything is Maintenance,” sets you up for what’s to come. The melodic pattern travels throughout the album, morphing and/or changing, but feeling full-circle. Evil can be turned to good, destiny turned fate, but the feeling is rotation; the passing of time and seasons, of renewal and rebirth. We find ourselves walking over already trodden roads, happening upon deja-vu in hometowns that aren’t our own, but growing in doing so; with every rotation, something gaining something. But with that comes the maintenance. Keeping it in check. You can’t get rusty, or tired, or the cycle stops. The wheel does not turn, and it all comes to an end. In fact, you may find as I did that at the end of the album with, “Maintenance Is Everything,” being juiced to take another trip around the sun, the road less taken, or just keep on keepin’ on.
Another one of my favorite tracks on this record, “No Fair 2 U” has another good example of what I am talking about (especially at around 00:40 seconds in). Have you ever found yourself listening to a song and you cannot remember the beginning? Or you wake up and can't remember the thought you had right before falling asleep? This is what this track says to me. I get lost somewhere between nodding my head back and forth; eyes shut and opening my mind to the new. That is a deep groove from a master songwriter.
(Shoutout to the dope high harmonies at 2:02. I see you doing the WORK, Ian Mullin. Nicely played.)
Sam Mendoza of Salmon Doza
Have you ever said something, that at the time meant nothing? Like, you off-the-cuff commented on someone's shirt but that simple, nowhere thought stuck with you for the rest of the day, wondering how it came off? Did you sound rude when you meant to be funny? Did you over speak? Were you unable to stop digging yourself a grave when you were knee deep? In “Trying to Relax” the repetition of the chorus at 1:32 reminds me of this exact notion, “I’ve said way too much.” Paired with the edgy and raw vocal quality that Doza gives during this song, it pairs with the vulnerability that occasionally we regret. “I’ve bitten the dust, it’s settled its done.”
Much like a Beatles album where the records are full of tracks with seemingly different “genres'' which are tightly interlocked and cannot be separated from the others, Sam’s music does just that. It’s altogether new, different, eclectic, and exciting. Jumping from R&B, to folk, giving nods to electronica with all moments oozing soul and funk, the sound is fresh yet radically reminiscent.
In the middle of the record we take a journey to a dance hall with “Paga.” Channeling 1950’s Cuban jazz, peppered with classic “oohs” sung by Lily Kirwan the playful, jazzy and exciting feel gives the album a nice change of pace. I picture couples dancing all around me in their pastel dresses and ties, with a big band on the platform stage with Salmon front and center.
“Better Days” and “Spring Break” (which is one of my all-time favorites) are rereleased on this record and the mix is cleaner, and jazzier than ever. These tracks are sprinkled with the lovely, floating voices of Lily Kirwan (“Better Days”) and Aly Golditch (“Spring Break”) bringing it a full and exciting sound.
When the journey is finally coming to an end, after traveling through time and space on our loop, closing out the album is a another instrumental track. Much like a siren of the sea, the music lures you deeper. It takes you into the mind and soul of the Salmon themselves. Tie yourself to the mast or be drawn completely and forever into the mood created by the album.
Where Salmon Doza is, you’ll be able to breathe clearly, jam freely, and be inspired to stay a while. These tracks are made with love and dedication, and an absolute plethora of skill sets. There is no doubt that more than one talented hand went into making this masterpiece, and hats off to all the studio {cool} cats {and kittens} who added depth to this album through their contributions. Special shout out to Sam Mendoza, Stefan Reichart (guitar, vocals, production, mixing), Jon Luc Hefferman (keys), Miles Alberts (bass), Sam Hayward (drums), Lily Kirwan (vox on Paga, Chamaco, and Better Days), Aly Golditch (vox on Spring Break), Dylan Handwright (mastering), Christian Brown (mixing {“No Fair To You”}). Hats off, impeccable work.
I am so honored I was able to give this record a spin. You are going to want to lose yourself in the circles of these grooves. This album drops OFFICIALLY Friday May 22, but you can hear it HERE and HERE ONLY on Wednesday May 23 at Midnight. Give it a listen and drop a comment- I cannot wait to see what you think.
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Thanks for stopping by. I hope to hear your thoughts on Friday when this masterpiece drops. Sam stopped by my live benefit concert last Friday and you should DEFINITELY hear it here.
As always- stay safe, stay sane, and stay tf home.
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