Ernest Aines – Spiral Bound
Ernest Aines – Spiral Bound – Album Review
Back in the summer of 2022, I latched onto the music of Ernest Aines through a stellar single called “Yellowstone” that revealed just how special this dude’s talent really was. Since then, he’s been out there traveling around the world, including a stop in my own backyard here in British Columbia as I understand it (No phone call? Text? Bullhorn proclamation?), and his music has traveled even further, going to the USA, Ireland, the UK, and Canada all the way from his home-base in Australia. Not too shabby if you ask me. He’s got the talent, fantastic representation, and more importantly than both of those things, he’s willing to put in the work and take his music directly to the people. Full respect.
So it came as no surprise to me that I liked and loved so much of his official debut album, Spiral Bound. Not only does it have that beautiful gem “Yellowstone” sitting right there at track two of this lineup, but you’ll also find that HALF of this ten-song set has been credited as singles in his catalog to-date. Think of that for a moment will ya? 50% of a DEBUT album has been put out there in various ways as the gateway in – SINGLES to entice ya into listening…and he’s not even done yet. Again, no surprise whatsoever that he’s been nominated as an Australian Folk Artist Of The Year in 2023 – he’s earned it.
What’ll make you instantly crack a smile, is listening to the way the album begins with “Pixels.” You’ll hear it…you’ll listen…you’ll discover why comparisons to Peter Gabriel are as justified as they are…you’ll find such remarkable attention to detail, incredible melody & hooks that’ll instantly draw you in, the mesmerizing vocals of Ernest Aines at work – and then you’ll realize that somehow…SOMEHOW…this first track ain’t even one of the five ‘singles’ from the record! Like…in what world? What planet did this dude come from? How is “Pixels” not THE go-to song of all songs on Spiral Bound? Trust me dear readers, dear friends…when you listen to a track like this up front in a set-list of songs, you either have nowhere else to go but down, or you’re putting out an audible statement that says, ‘YES, THIS ALBUM REALLY IS GONNA BE THAT GOOD.’ And I’m sure you can tell from everything I’ve said on the way into this first song that it’s a case of the latter. Honestly, I was floored by “Pixels.” I thought the verses were so spectacular to begin with, that to hear how captivating the melody of the main hooks in the chorus were…I mean…it pretty much blew my mind. There’s such an impressive combination of soul and heart in the music of Ernest Aines…such a clever mixture of art that speaks right to you and thought-provoking emotion that has you feeling every ticking second of a song like “Pixels” – Spiral Bound starts with an undeniably irresistible first impression. If this ain’t the sound of perfection y’all, what else could it be?
As many of you regular readers know (okay, the four of you), I never go back and read what I’ve written about a song I’ve already reviewed and commented on, because I listen HARD. I road test these songs with repetition SO MUCH that there’s next to no chance my opinion would ever change. So if you wanna really know what I think about “Yellowstone,” I suggest you click here for a bunch more details. Suffice it to say, I still find it tremendously inspired – I absolutely LOVE the way that Ernest sings, and I’m still every bit as convinced that this initial impression I had heard over a year ago was all the proof I needed to know Aines had something that the rest just don’t…and you betcha, I STILL feel that way now. That being said…call it the effect of hearing something new, or perhaps it’s a matter of melody that has a knack for reaching me more than anything else, but I’d probably tell ya that “Pixels” is more of a ‘single’ than “Yellowstone” is now that I’ve been able to hear the entirety of Spiral Bound. I think you get a sense of where this is really going though…anyone with a functional pair of ears, or perhaps even just one good one, would be able to make a justifiable argument on behalf of any of these songs being the ultimate gateway into this record & the music of Ernest Aines. What I particularly like about “Yellowstone” is how straight-up interesting and engaging it is…it’s got true grit to its soul, spirited instrumentation and vocals…don’t get me wrong y’all, it’s still every bit of a justified single. Like I was saying, I’m probably just a bit more partial to “Pixels” given that it was newer to me, but when it comes to the songwriting & overall quality, the work has been put into this entire lineup of tunes start to finish.
I had to smile as I was reading the press release that came along with this record…writers get so carried away sometimes I tell ya. Ernest is actually compared to a ‘Venetian Gondolier’ at one point…and all I could think of was like, ‘people WISH they’d sound like this…but do they? Really?’ I’d be the first to tell you I have no firm proof that they don’t – but I CAN tell you that Ernest is genuinely one of a kind. I think we’re all fairly familiar with different realms of Folk-based music at this point with so much access to it out there these days in the ol’ modern era, and I can promise ya, you’ll find some really great names along the way, but none that quite do the hybrid thing as well as Aines is. He’s such an amalgamation of those that have paved the way for him to be here today without being too much of any of’em, know what I mean? I listen to “Rigged Games” (another one of the singles that’s not quite as much of a single as “Pixels” still!) and the closest comparison I feel like would really apply would likely be someone along the lines of Jose Gonzales, but that would only cover a fraction of what you’ll hear overall. Aines is totally his own deal…any similarities you’ll hear will come and go…he’s a master of mixology, and knows how to borrow the best of what influences him as an artist to make music truly of his own design. “Rigged Games” is a stunning example of the depth in his songwriting and the evocative grip of the melodies he creates. I was genuinely surprised to find this cut was one of the five singles when I first heard it – not because the hooks wouldn’t qualify, but because it’s SIX AND A HALF-MINUTES LONG. You know how many ‘singles’ out there are longer than three and half? Not many! You know how many are longer than five? Even less! You could practically count’em on one hand. So while it’s fair to say that “Rigged Games” might not have been the track you’d wanna go with as the very first of the bunch, aka the LEAD single, it sure does speak volumes on behalf of his artistry and would work wonders as a supporting cut as the album continued to circulate. It’s a sleepier but luscious tune that offers yet another dimension of Ernest’s sound, and it changes more than enough to warrant the extended length. Is it “Pixels?” No! Am I taking crazy pills? How did the first song miss its deserved single-worthy status and where do I file my official complaint? Maybe there’s still time for a SIXTH single to come out from this ten-song set? I can’t be the only one out here feeling this way… Anyhow. “Rigged Games” is loaded with beautiful texture and tones…from the ice-like mystery in the notes of the guitar, to the warmth of the bass-lines and precision of the drums, to the significant degree of emotion you can hear in Ernest as he sings this song…it’s quite the work of art even if ‘single’ seems like a stretch. As I’ve said many times on these pages of ours, the definition has a very wide range – it’s really about what is going to catch and keep our attention, more-so than being as simple as what is the most catchy.
“So Far” would make for a much better example of what the majority of people would associate with the sound of a more typical single…and they wouldn’t be wrong. So heck yeah, naturally I’m resistant to that! What can I say…it’s just who I am. I don’t mind “So Far,” but it’s a distant fourth place in comparison to the rest of what I’ve heard on Spiral Bound to this point. I ain’t saying I don’t like it – I do – I’m just sayin’ not quite as much as the rest, and that’s Ernest’s fault for being awesome, not mine for having an opinion. Besides – YOU will probably freakin’ love the stomp & melody combination you’ll find in “So Far” and I certainly wouldn’t blame ya if you do! It’s pretty stylistically slick when it comes right down to it…you know, just like those traditional Venetian Gondoliers are. *winky face. Listen – the reality is, I’d listen to Aines sing the freakin’ phonebook if he felt so inclined…so don’t get it twisted, I’ve been more than happy to listen to “So Far” every bit as much as the rest of this lineup when it comes right down to it – I’m just more partial to the deeper cuts on the record I suppose. I’d be the first person to tell ya there’s more universal accessibility in a track like “So Far” than most of the songs on Spiral Bound. Like I was tellin’ ya from the get-go…it’s got what people really define as single-worthy vibes.
The next stretch of four songs is the longest distance you’ll travel on this record without running into one of its singles, starting with “Lady In Waiting.” Did he really mention something about “fish heads in the broth” or am I listening sideways? You rarely find music you’d describe as ‘pretty’ mentioning “fish heads,” you know what I mean? That’s what I’ve been tellin’ ya though – Aines ain’t like the rest of the kids in the sandbox y’all. He grew up different, and as a result, he makes music that hits differently for all the right reasons as well. It is probably fair to say that “Lady In Waiting” would face the biggest battle to become a single in comparison to the rest, but it’s also fair to say that if Ernest is going to be most typically defined as a Folk artist, this is where you hear him flex that aspect of his music proudly. Again, I think you can hear the roots of different styles of music’s history in this song, ranging from intricate Folk to more ambitious Progressive tunes, similar to how something like early Genesis would have worked. Long before Phil took the reins and commercialized the heck outta the band. Anyway…I think it’s safe to say that “Lady In Waiting” has a much more niche appeal if we’re talkin’ about the masses and the court of public opinion…BUT…the quality, effort, and attention to detail never drops. As I always tell ya, if you keep those ingredients up, you give EVERY song you make the chance at becoming someone’s favorite tune, and most importantly, you’ll never feel like you let yourself down as an artist. Personally, I can appreciate a track like “Lady In Waiting” even if it’s not necessarily my own favorite of the bunch or what I’d normally listen to myself…it’s a really well-written tune that’s perfectly executed, that’s the facts. There’s a whole lot of art and craft to a song like this, and Aines should be recognized for that.
“Rain City!” There you go, proof that he WAS here somewhere in British Columbia…he chose to cover this Turin Brakes song in tribute to us here. Alright…that’s probably not the case. Beautiful tune without question…delicate, but played with the kind of real conviction & intent you wanna hear. Closer to what you’d find in the slowest parts of the DMB catalog, Aines is at his mesmerizing best here on “Rain City” and keeping you captivated with a hypnotic vibe you can’t take your ears off of. Tons of soul in this gentle tune; it might not end up being the first one that the people out there notice in a lineup that’s so filled with exceptional material, but over time, I firmly believe that a song this good will get the credit it deserves. For as fragile as it appears, you’ve gotta admire how much strength and courage it shows in Ernest as an artist…he’s right out there, bare as bare can be, singing with an impressive level of uniqueness and natural allure. I feel like this is one of those songs that he’d play live, and the audience would be able to hear a pin drop by the time it was over, you know what I mean? We all get so invested into every note and tone as he’s singing this song, putting all our energy into listening to the gripping combination of sincerity and sweetness he brings to this tune. I also like that, depending on how you listen to it and what mood you might find yourself in, there’s an interpretive element to “Rain City” that could just as easily make it just as crushingly devastating as it is beautiful to experience. Songs that move us personally in different ways are always great to discover.
The composition of “Stranger To Me” is straight-up outstanding! Ernest has got a vivid melody that somewhat seems to defy description here…like the kind of song you might not even assume would work if you were to look at it on paper, you following me? Yet here we are, and work it certainly does. Aines has got an absolutely interesting cut on his hands with this one…anti-typical in many ways, but highly effective all said & done. Right down to the whistling, Ernest gives you another set of reasons to listen up close and take in every moment of this song. Love the guitar in this track and the innovative melody he’s created at the core of this idea…it’s songs like “Stranger To Me” that really reveal his authenticity in my opinion. Contrast can be such an incredibly useful tool when it comes to the art of songwriting. So much of what he hear in a song like this is sincerely sweet, but you also get this darkened thread that comes through in the music too…it’s compelling is what it is. Realistically, I can see that “Stranger To Me” is probably gonna have to fight a little for your attention on those first couple spins, and there’s certainly an element of risk having the two most low-key tracks on the record appearing back-to-back – but I truly feel like Aines is making a mesmerizing style of music that keeps our attention fully affixed.
I had to make sure I was listening to the right tune next…”Locked In A Cage” gets a bit confusing when it’s got a main hook that has Ernest singing “I won’t” on repeat, and the next song to follow is “I Won’t Take Your Honesty Away.” I really love the extra keys added into the background of the melody on this song…such a beautiful glow to’em. The whole track is very subtle, quaint, and understated. It’s even got an accordion in the mix I believe, which pairs brilliantly with the bass when it shows up. I’m often amazed when it comes to songs like this…you hear so much effort in the writing, the structure, the musicianship, the details all around…and then a singer like Aines is able to come along and practically erase all that hard work with two simple words being sung perfectly when he sings, “I won’t.” I really dig this track overall. Personally, I’d put “Locked In A Cage” right up there with the best of the best on this record, perhaps all the way into my top three tunes on Spiral Bound. Aines has this like…hybrid mix of sound that nestles somewhere in between early Coldplay and Alt-J here…it’s nothing but enticing to listen to at every single moment. You’ve gotta admire how tight this tune is…there ain’t a thing left out. “Locked In A Cage” is an exceptional example of having just enough of everything you wanna hear to create the magic in the music you’re listening to, and the professional restraint required to not add anything more. Ernest has unparalleled instincts when it comes to making music, and it’s songs like “Locked In A Cage” that really show how clever he is with his craft and creating hooks that connect. Really listen to that first verse too eh? It’s gonna sound angelically gorgeous to ya, because it IS – but at the same time, you’ll eventually come to realize that Aines has been stabbed & he’s barely hangin’ on! Another remarkable example of his use of contrast; it’s tracks like “Locked In A Cage” that will easily show him who’s REALLY listening and paying attention, versus those just skimming the surface of it all.
Man…before you even get to the guy’s ever-exceptional lyricism, your ears are already treated to a real hook inside the music on “I Won’t Take Your Honesty Away,” and anytime you can establish such a favorable impact on the way into a song certainly makes it a great candidate to be a single. One of the five of ten that enjoyed that status on Spiral Bound, the humble & quaint charm of Ernest Aines rings true throughout this whole song. I loved listening to the melody cascade in the verses, I loved the brightness of the chorus, all-in-all, it’s got that X-factor of Aines shining bright. He’s got this uncanny ability to take what’s essentially still very much a common recipe for Folk music, basically a voice the ol’ acoustic guitar, and make the material completely fascinating to listen to. The vast majority of why that is, is because this dude has the magic…that’s what we’re dealing with here y’all, someone that really does have what other artists don’t. There’s also some help through the production that counts too – Spiral Bound is a sparklingly clear record to listen to, which allows our ears to get the most out of every minute as we listen. It’s a combination that leads straight to success, and that’s what you’re hearing. From the performances to the production, tracks like “I Won’t Take Your Honesty Away” beam out the many reasons as to why you’d wanna listen to Ernest’s music, which truly seem to be on endless supply.
Like the perfect hybrid blend of Johnson, Lennon, and Stevens at the end of his album, “Tail Tale” wraps up the debut record from Ernest Aines with one last track you can’t take your ears off of. I’m sure many of his fans out there were stoked to find this single included into the lineup, and especially where you find it at the end – it brings a wonderful sense of conclusion to Spiral Bound. Listen to that switch around the 2:45 mark will ya? How is Aines STILL hauling out new tricks at this point on his first record, we might never know…but rest assured, you don’t make an album like this one without knowing you’ll be making many more in the future to follow based on the quality of the work throughout. Fantastically well sung, “Tail Tale” immediately has you wanting more from Aines, while also providing the kind of ending this effort deserved. For real y’all…look at it this way – the biggest complaint I’ve lodged in this entire review is that he should have had at least a SIXTH single out of this set of ten in “Pixels,” and I could probably make a healthy argument that “Locked In A Cage” should be out there as a seventh! Out of TEN songs! You’re rarely ever going to find an artist or band cracking the bat as hard as Ernest Aines has throughout Spiral Bound. I’m endlessly impressed, truly. I’ve spun this record inside and out since I got it last week, and I’ve got every plan to continue that habit over here in Canada. If there was anything at all that he could have done any better, I didn’t hear it. I never doubted the man for a second, but it sure was awesome to hear him exceed even my wildest hopes and expectations – you can consider me a sincere fan of Ernest Aines, and I’m absolutely certain that you’ll feel the same.
Find out more about Ernest Aines from his official website at: https://www.ernestaines.com
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