WL//WH Review: THE ROPE “Nightbird” LP

WL//WH Review THE ROPE

On October 4, The Rope (Minneapolis) released their brand-new “Nightbird” LP, filled with 8 new gothic situations and stories of the current American Midwest. The band comprises Jesse Hagon (vocals), Mike Browning (guitar), Sam Richardson (bass), and Ben Rickel (drums, Keys), and the troupe performs their music well, and their gothic narrative is captivating…and there are aspects of great interest in their art.

It’s a skilled and solid band that took five years to release a new album (after “Lillian” in 2019) and the result shows comfort in songwriting and working in the studio too (here, credits also to Signaturetone Recording and Adam Tucker for the shiny sound and all). They are not like the bands that are trying to create (and recreate a thousand times more) the neo-goth sound (whatever that is), but they remain faithful to the old school grooving until the next morning…tired, and lovingly dead…without any garnishes and ornaments that will never shine.

They write and play beautifully rotten and danceable songs about the night and other passions that concern them, as well as us. I say ‘rotten’ because they won’t resist flirting with Deathrock, and they may subtly give in to some relevant riffs and harmonies. Three weeks ago they released the official video of the title track of the album, and it is a very good specimen from the record, yeah…

…and a little while ago they also released the video of “The Show”, which is a nice darkwave creation from the band (and there are other such songs on the album), listen and watch.

That is, we all now understand that The Rope also have a troubadour singer who complements their sound and music perfectly. And I also understand some people on social media who have already described the “Nightbird” LP as ‘long-awaited’.  It is a very good album from a talented band that perfectly plays everything that got us into this genre.

The Rope deserves honest congratulations and a big “well done, guys, you nailed it.”  Here is the album, listen to it loud (and take care)!!!

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The Rope

Written by Loud Cities’ Mike