Chicago based Reserver began as the solo work of The Laureate member Chad Preston, serving as a way for him to process a difficult period caring for his wife until her passing from cancer in 2022. What may have started as a way to navigate sadness and grief transformed over time as the band moved from a solo effort to a full lineup, and this year’s Reverser showcases that through its diverse set of musical influences. Offering everything from indie/garage rock to noisier shoegaze and hints of psychedelic rock, this debut provides bright spots in between more reflective and emotive peaks. It’s the type of album that captures a wide range of what different rock styles were exploring in the 90s without feeling dated, and it’s clear Reserver has built a versatile foundation to build from.
Opener “Heart is a Bomb” makes it clear that the noisier shoegaze and alternative elements are a core component of what the band tick, as you’re greeted with waves of distortion alongside synths that have a louder, brighter tone. Reserver then moves between more muted guitar work that has a somber, reflective tone and these noisier bursts, and the contrast between the two is effective at drawing you in. As you make your way further into Reverser, the additional stylistic elements become more apparent and transform the sound further, with the band also diving further into shoegaze on some songs. “Paragraph” lets the layers build up and reach ear piercing peaks, reminding me of a cross between garage rock and The Jesus and Mary Chain, while the heftier bass lines and airier, darker slant of “Oh Me” gives hints of grunge and everything 90’s alternative. You’ll also note psychedelic leaning textures and even a bit of post punk at certain points as well, which gives the material this sense of familiarity without it falling too close to one particular group’s template. The production values also go a long way in enhancing the impact, as it really lets the noise and fuzziness reach genuinely loud and speaker shattering levels while also giving space for the softer sections to breathe. A few of the more garage rock and shoegaze leaning tracks do blur together for me over repeat listens, and the band has plenty of room to expand on these wide range of influences, but overall Reverser’s blend of loud/quiet and dark/bright proves to be compelling.
Considering everything that Chad Preston had gone through during the creation of this album, the way that he expresses everything and frames it through a reflective lens makes this a sad listen but one that still has plenty of hopeful flourishes. Preston has a voice that’s a bit more muted compared to some of the other indie/alternative artists out there, and Reserver uses this to their advantage by placing his vocals towards the front of the mix so that they echo over top of the noisier foundation. While it may be a bit muted, there is some range to the performance as things move between some gruffer pitches and higher ones that have a bit more fragility. Reserver also brought in guest vocalist Sarah R. on some of the songs to harmonize with Preston, and while her singing sometimes gets washed out in the walls of sound this does shake things up more.
Reserver may have started as a way for Preston to process an unimaginable situation, but Reverser is more than just a reflection of that grief and sadness. As the group evolved into a full group, they’ve taken on a wide range of everything alternative/indie, and the way that the songs transition seamlessly from more introspective and softer flourishes into bursts of noisy distortion and soaring melodies is infectious. There are some moments that blur together slightly and I’d personally like the synths to pop out even more in the future, but there are just as many elements that have kept me coming back for more. Reverser is available from Funambulist Recording Company.
-Review by Chris Dahlberg