Wildlife

by La Dispute

Overview

Grand Rapids, Michigan-based post-hardcore purveyors La Dispute have grown significantly since the release of debut record Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair in 2008, and the proof is in sophomore album Wildlife. While singer Jordan Dreyer's vocals and the instrumental performances previously competed for the listeners' attention, here the bandmembers not only work together more cohesively, but also the vocals and instruments complement each other. Musically, guitarists Kevin Whittemore and Chad Sterenberg place less emphasis on unusual time signatures, opting instead for emotionally charged chord progressions, as bassist Adam Vass and drummer Bradley Vander Lugt lay down tense rhythms. This helps propel Dreyer's alternately singing-speaking vocal style, where he delivers matured lyrics inspired by loss and despair on songs about gang violence ("King Park"), mental health ("Edward Benz, 27 Times"), and the death of a child ("I See Everything"). The composition even stretches into concept album territory, offering four monologues presented as an author's unpublished short stories ("A Departure," "A Letter," "A Poem," "A Broken Jar"). Wildlife is the best of both worlds, serving up the energy and power fans have come to expect from La Dispute, but showing a maturity beyond the band's years. ~ Chrysta Cherrie

Product Details

Release Date:	06/30/2023
Label:	BETTER LIVING
UPC:	0603111806044

Tracks

1. Departure
2. Harder Harmonies
3. St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church Blues
4. Edit Your Hometown
5. Letter
6. Safer in the Forest/Love Song for Poor Michigan
7. The Most Beautiful Bitter Fruit
8. Poem
9. King Park
10. Edward Benz 27 Times
11. I See Everything
12. Broken Jar
13. All Our Bruised Bodies and the Whole Heart Shrinks
14. You and I in Unison

Album Credits

Performance Credits

La Dispute   Primary Artist
Jordan Dreyer   Vocals
Chad Sterenberg   Foot Stomping,Bells,Vocals,Trumpet,Synthesizer,Glockenspiel
Adam Vass   Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Baritone)
Brad Vander Lugt   Bells,Drums,Guiro,Piano,Chimes,Shaker,Clapping,Stomping,Triangle,Keyboards,Tambourine,Fender Rhodes,Foot Stomping

Technical Credits

Chad Sterenberg   Cassette Recorder,Group Member
Jordan Dreyer   Group Member
Kevin Whittemore   Group Member
La Dispute   Producer
Andrew Everding   Engineer,Producer
Keith Parry   Assistant Engineer
David Summers   Photography
Adam Vass   Artwork,Group Member
Brad Vander Lugt   Group Member,Field Recording,Additional Music
Joseph Pedulla   Engineer,Producer,Mixing Engineer
Ricardo Guitierrez   Mastering Engineer