Adventures – ‘Supersonic Home’

It would be impossible to talk about Adventures without mentioning the fact that three out of five members of the band are shared with Pittsburgh hardcore kings Code Orange. The only other similarity between the two that needs mentioning is that whatever the members of these bands put their heart and soul into they really do give it everything to make their projects the best that they can be. That’s all that needs to be said about Code Orange now because aside from the musical style being a world away, Adventures debut album ‘Supersonic Home’ should be judged on its own merit, rather than a “side project” or anything else.

Joining vocalist Reba Myers, bass player Joe Goldman, and drummer Jami Morgan are their friends Kimi Hanauer and Dom Landolina, and between them have spent the last couple of years readying ‘Supersonic Home’ before finally getting the chance record the album with ever-prolific producer Will Yip (Tigers Jaw, Superheaven) at Studio 4.

The overall sound of ‘Supersonic Home’ calls to mind that of the 90’s when members of the hardcore scene collaborated with female vocalists to create punchy rock music with tender melodies. Rather than sounding like pop-icons Paramore or similar, Adventures have more in common with Ashes (members of Battery), The Rocking Horse Winner (members of As Friends Rust) and Beta Minus Mechanic (members of Earth Crisis), yet giving a fresh take on a creative pool that musicians have been fishing for years.

As soon as ‘Dream Blue Haze’ bursts forth from your speakers it is evident that the raw production of their preceding EP’s has vanished, and the more polished sound that Yip has applied to ‘Supersonic Home’ brings Adventures to life. The 90’s emo worship of ‘Heavenly’ springs into life as Myers beautiful vocal really soars through the chorus, and is complimented perfectly by Hanauer’s lower tone on the saccharine filled ‘Your Sweetness’.

Throughout the record the guitar sound is slick, melting away between bright keyboard sections and rich harmonies. ‘Pure’ and ‘Absolution, Worth Requited’ show the more sombre side of Adventures in the former, with the latter being a delectable indie-rock anthem. One of the most endearing features of ‘Supersonic Home’ is the divide in the vocal, keeping things fresh when Hanauer takes the lead on tracks such as ‘Tension’, before fading into the lush ‘Long Hair’. As you reach the albums title track, which has a brit-pop sensibility about it in a similar vein to The Sundays in places, you lose count of the heart warming moments that’s have graced your ears on across these ten tracks, leaving you with a smile on your face and feeling completely smitten.

As we near the end of winter, and spring is on the horizon, Adventures will provide the soundtrack to sunshine filled days and long summer evenings with their comforting indie-rock. You will know the sound, and you will hear where they draw their influences from as Adventures wear them proudly on their sleeve, but it is impossible not to fall in love with ‘Supersonic Home’.

GLEN BUSHELL