REVIEWS

ALBUM REVIEW: Prairie

“Prairie” by Neil Howell made its release on the 11th of this month. The album is a large melting pot of various subgenres of rock, blended together brilliantly. Howell has found a way to mash metal with a distinct folk sound, something that feels undone before.

Howell himself describes his music as: “rock with strong metal overtones. However, I do not limit myself to anything else that I find interesting, including folk and post-rock.” With a craving to incorporate all aspects of rock under one umbrella, Neil Howell created “Prairie.” Everything he’s done in this album sounds extremely new and unconventional.

Inspired by 80’s metal, alt-country, and folk-rock, Howell, 44, has played since he was just 12 years old. “Over that past ten years, my biggest influence has been Devin Townsend, not only for his music but in his approach to life and the creative process.”

The album begins with “Flatland,” which has a significant folk aspect to it. However, Howell wraps in sound effects that make the song more interesting as well as innovative. The guitar solo of the track is flawless. Over time, the piece evolves into a more fast-paced and upbeat track while keeping an almost eerie feel. Displaying a largely “abandoned” impression, it’s an unforgettable opening to the album.

The folk sound almost fades away as we come to “Economics,” and metal begins to take over. They fight with one another throughout the song. The track had a pleasant outcome. I love everything that’s going on here. Two minutes through, the piece embodies this classic 70s rock feel.

Personally, I believe the strongest of the album to be “My Biggest Fear.” It connects nicely with a feeling everyone has dealt with before. There was this almost emotional connection I had with the song. I was sitting there thinking, “shit.” I didn’t know which was better, the lyrics or the music. Lines like “My biggest fear is losing you” and “so please walk with me through the storm” are such universal feelings (and the song displays them perfectly).

Another one of my favorites happens to be “Shaking.” The track was fast pace with some fantastic guitar solos (the second by Brandon Towhley). It was a rapid turn to the next track, “Brief Moment of Serenity,” which is genius, slower-paced, and more delicate.

“There have been countless times of the past year that I was almost brought to tears at the sounds I was getting, because they were the sounds that had only existed in my head before, and many of them go back decades. I know what I want, and I move quickly to achieve that result,” Howell said about the recording process. He released three albums last year (After the Epiphany, Space, and Poser).

I can’t wait to see what Howell comes up with next.