With an emotional rock sound that combines the old with the new, The Indestructible Water Bear have hit my radar through their debut album, Everything is OK.
By Graeme Smith
A project conceived by Philadelphia’s Geoff Rezvani and Gail Farmer, the pair rounded out their line-up with the addition of Jimish Mehta on bass, and Jon Lipson on drums to create The Indestructible Water Bear.
They’re new to our blog thanks to their debut album, Everything is OK. There is a certain irony to its platitude-esque title, with the album pulling of the full gamut of human experience with themes of joy, love, fear, sadness, longing and separation.
I was struck by the band’s sound right from the off. A Thousand Suns gives us some jangly, throwback alternative rock, combining it with some folksy emo. The vocals are soulful and full of longing. especially during a soaring chorus, and the track builds nicely to its lingering guitar solo.
I Walk the Night proves an early standout, giving us some contrast with its driving drums and ruminating lyrics. All the while a swaying rhythm stirs, before exploding into life during a noisy, cathartic chorus. It flows into another highlight, Missing You, which softens things during a brooding moment that channels the best of the ’90s.
Elsewhere, My Baseline gives us some powerful intimacy. The Center of the Universe Smells Like Raspberries takes things in a psychedelic, shoegaze direction. Nothing Will Be the Same chugs along with Modest Mouse-esque indie rock before title track Everything is OK closes the album with some heavy riffs and light vocals.
The Indestructible Water Bear’s debut is an assured one, giving us retro and modern rock in equal measure. The strength of its emotion is compelling, and beautifully delivered through Gail’s vocals and the band’s instrumentals. I’ll be keeping an eye on this band for sure.
Everything is OK was recorded just outside Philadelphia at Kawari Sound by Zach Goldstein. It’s out now to stream and buy digitally, with a vinyl release planned soon. You can check it out below.
