Americana collective James BonTempo & Truth Tables showcase their blend of indie rock convictions with a hint of twang on their February EP, The Glow. The band describes themselves as "If Yo La Tengo were a little bit country," with nods to slacker rock, shoegaze, and alternative folk.
The 40-second introduction that is "Alright" kicks off The Glow with a dissonant banging echo of distorted guitars and a swath of drums, reminiscent of 90s slack rockers. This track bleeds right into the lead single "Here Ever After," a bright, disenchanted jam. Evident in this track is the hand of Robbie Bennet (of The War On Drugs), adding organ and piano for melodic depth and rich texture to the band's default guitar, bass, & drum arrangement.
"Nothing Breaks Like a Promise" stands out with its cathartic rises and falls, delivering a dynamic swell into an ethereal finale. "The Dream" finishes the record with a gritty optimism, following the whopping 11 minute opus "Incandescent City," full of twangy guitars and escalating organs.
Songwriter and singer James BonTempo leads the Truth Tables with his diverse influences in folk, jazz, and jam bands, carving a unique sonic landscape for the group. The band formed in 2016, and have been experimenting with a variety of sounds with Steve Johnson and Randy Cochran. They began performing together when asked to open for Nashville folk band Tophouse, and have only expanded their musical chemistry since.
The Glow was recorded in Philadelphia at Miner Street Studios with indie veterans Brian McTear & Amy Morrissey, known for their work with The War on Drugs, Sharon Van Etten, and Kurt Vile. Their influences for this new project include some of the greats in the American experiment of slacker country-rock like Pavement and Wilco among others.
The EP is available on digital and vinyl for purchase, and the group has plans to perform the record live in 2025, starting this May with a string of shows in Maryland.
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