The State Champions Deliver Their Fierce New Album, “Independent Record”
By: Chris Buxton IG: @chrisbuxtonllg
Captivating, engaging, and daring are all words that describe the most intriguing band, The State Champions. Hailing from Helena, MT, the Aaron Parrett fronted band is everything that’s missing with modern music. They are real, and they aren’t afraid to unleash their emotions and raw lyricism. Now, they debut on our pages with their latest album “Independent Record”.
On the album, Parrett is supported by John Dendy (bass, harmonica, vocals), Jon Flynn (dobro), and bolstered by the State Champions’ varsity squad of Ken Nelson (piano), Aaron’s wife Nann Parrett (harmonies and whistling), and producer-engineer Matt Strachan. Over the 11 exceptional tracks, the band explores topics of nostalgia, teenage angst, anarchy, love, and heartbreak.
Starting with a memorable opener “Canada”, the band dives into the story of a grown up kid reflection on his past indiscretions of angst and anarchy. Sonically, the record has elements of folk rock, and it’s laced with Aaron’s whiskey-soaked vocals that provide warmth to the overall feel of the song. The record is both engaging and captivating from start to finish.
Another song that stood out to me was “When I Was a Mountain”. The song is a folky masterpiece carried by rich sounds and beautiful instrumentation. When I talk about a chef’s kiss, this song fits the bill. This is a song that gives you goosebumps.
Overall, this entire album is one of the best I have heard all year. From the lyrics to the production, everything about this album is what I consider to be “REAL” music. With that being said, stream the album below and vibe out!
