Frontier Ruckus – “Eternity of Dimming”

by | Mar 27, 2013 | Folk & Singer/Songwriter, Reviews

Frontier Ruckus
Eternity of Dimming
Detroit, MI
(Quite Scientific Records)

“Indie Americana with guitars, banjos and saws (oh my!)”

If you like Frontier Ruckus, you’re in luck.  You are going to enjoy this album.  If, however, you are like some reviewers whose friends and fellow critics absolutely love Frontier Ruckus, but you have never understood why, this isn’t the album that’s going to turn you around.  The band’s third full-length doesn’t take many departures from the first two and remains mostly a whole lot of singing by Matthew Milia – and only Matthew Milia.

http://youtu.be/XZQCR8eJshM 

So why do non-believers hold out hope for this band?  First of all, Frontier Ruckus boasts some very talented instrumentalists.  The guitar, banjo and saw blend together and have a lovely effect, particularly on the title track.  Secondly, the lyrics can be haunting.  Yes, there are a lot of them, and sometimes they seem to run together from song to song, and sometimes they seem a little bit self-involved, but they conjure up vivid imagery.  One of the album’s highlights, “In Protection of Sylvan Manor,” describes childhood in the band’s home state of Michigan in a way that is both sad and compelling.  The album’s first single, “Careening Catalog Immemorial” hits the sweet spot – and will keep the doubters coming back for more.

Produced by Frontier Ruckus
Engineered by Jim Roll
Mastered by Glenn Brown
www.frontierruckus.com