LongRoad returns with new record

LongRoad is an outfit born from the camaraderie of three childhood friends in Rutherford, New Jersey, along with the addition of vocalist Ted Ames from Coventry in Vermont. They first unveiled their sound with their debut record titled This Too Shall Pass in 2006, a release that gained widespread recognition and airplay on over 140 college stations across the USA, including notable commercial rock stations.

After an extended hiatus, the band has reunited to recorded its sophomore studio record, Faith in Greater Things? with tour dates lined up for the rest of this year and into 2024. Featuring 12 tracks, the new record showcases the next chapter of their epic indie rock sound.

Opened by “New Song,” lightly crunchy guitar chords usher in the lively beat of drums, launching into an upbeat and energetic sound as the smooth vocal leads glide in to thread compelling melodies carrying picture painting lyricism. Packed full of punchy rhythm and instantly memorable writing, it’s a superb artistic statement that marks the triumphant return of the band.

“Breathe,” starts with the delicate plucks of warm electric guitar as the plash of cymbals brings in a laid back beat. Commanding vocals take flight before the song erupts into a rousing indie anthemic brimming with punching drums and powerful guitar work, capped by a slick solo to take the song to soaring heights.

Next up, “Inspired” opens with bright strums of clean guitar tones as the intricate taps of cymbals underpin soulful vocal delivery before the song picks up energy with the subtle crunch of distortion. Driven by the rolling shuffling of drums and elegant twang of guitar in the second verse, the chorus launches an energising sound, showcasing the band’s knack for deftly fluttering between moods and energies.

Other highlights on the album include songs like “Free” with its graceful country-tinged smokiness as hazy slide guitar notes glide above the airy strums of acoustic guitar, crafting a timeless rock aesthetic straight out of the Alice In Chains playbook. Lofty vocals ride above, spinning moving melodies before the song rises to a powerful interlude of distorted tones and pounding drums before floating back down to an acoustic rock vibe, culminating in an astonishing crescendo of electrifying guitar leads and bold rock instrumentation.

The album closes with “Helping Hand,” kicked off by the contrast of scratchy guitar tones and rich vocal leads before the drums and bass guitar tie the full sound together to craft a bright and uplifting rock experience.

Faith in Greater Things? was crafted at The Barber Shop Studio in Hopatcong, New Jersey, and recorded, mixed and mastered at Laundry Room Studio in Seattle, Washington. The album received the expert touch of multi-platinum, award-winning producer Barrett Jones, known for his work with iconic bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Foo Fighters.

Commenting on the album, lead singer Ted Ames shares, “As with the last album, the songs remain the product of living our lives… they are an honest mix of storytelling and emotion based upon our experience and observation in and of the world around us.”

Listen to Faith in Greater Things? below