S.O.S. TEXAS, Marina Rocks' upcoming album, is a masterclass of lifelong musicianship that pulls no punches -- and is simply badass.
Guitar plays a pivotal role in Marina's music, an unsurprising feature considering the significance the instrument has had in her own life. Her first guitar was a gift from her mom, who encouraged her on her musical journey, buying her a Marshall amp stack instead of a party dress for her 12th birthday. Now, playing her trusty Godin, the lifelong influence of the instrument is evident in her music. Each of the 12 tracks off of the new record feature guitar prominently and beautifully, from percussive accompaniment to ethereal, plucked solos.
Set to be released April 4th, 2025, the album opens with "It's All Messed Up," a deeply relatable title and matching chorus. The strong driving beat and resonating guitar make for an epic opener that sets the tone, with Marina's instantly recognizable drawl relating the narrator's feelings to that of a trapped animal: "Like a squirrel in a cage / We put ourselves in / Like a squirrel on a treadmill / There ain't no end," she sings.
The specific story behind the song is quite wild, and evident why squirrels play a role in it.
"A friend named Darrell came to me with this story about an X girlfriend who called him one night," Marina states. "She said she needed some help. Darrell, being a nice guy, went over to help her out. When he got to her house, he found she had a baby squirrel in her purse. At 60 MPH over on Highway 225 outside of Houston, this woman jumped out of the truck! The lady survived and the squirrel did not." The lead single from the album, "It's All Messed Up" reached #94 on the Americana charts last week.
"S.O.S." follows, and offers a scathing indictment of the pressures artists face, many of which stem from the entitlement of those benefiting from their art. Demand after demand is directed at her, ranging from repeated and annoying sentiments like "Can you write another tequila love song?" to downright objectifying -- "Hey, how would she look in just a cowboy hat." In the chorus, she sings "S.O.S. everywhere you go," reflecting the inescapable nature of the unwanted feedback.
Another notable track, "Slap Happy" showcases the way Marina can sing with her guitar just as compellingly as with her voice. Written for her late mother who steered her early musicianship, the choice to focus on her guitar artistry seems a no brainer. The intensity and musicality with which she plays serves as a beautiful homage to both Marina's career and her mother's contributions to her life.
"One More Song (Rewind)" closes the album with a somber reclamation of personal power and responsibility. Layered harmonies, acoustic guitar, and church organ underscore the track, lending an almost reverent tone to the album. In the chorus, the lyrics parallel getting her life back on track to performing one more song, singing: "C'mon and grab the wheel of this big Cadillac," and later "C'mon and let me play one more song."
Marina Rocks' strengths lie in her unwavering dedication to her craft and artistry, and S.O.S. TEXAS exemplifies each of these traits perfectly.
Photo by Dee Hill
Marina Rocks Upcoming Shows:
4/05 – Galveston, TX – Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe (w/ Afton Wolfe)
4/07 – Terlingua, TX – Starlight Theatre (w/ Afton Wolfe)
4/15 – Los Angeles, CA – Hotel Cafe (Open Folk)
4/16 – S. Pasadena, CA – The Daily (Wine & Song)
4/17 – Morro Bay, CA – KEBF/KZSR (Hal Abrams Show) [4:45pm]
Listen on Spotify
No comments:
Post a Comment