Along For The Ride With 521 Briar
A new Chicago experimental rock band in the DIY scene releases debut album “Pink Oxford Womynn”
by Hannah Margaret McDonald
Photos provided by Daniel Jenks
An experimental art rock band made of four college-age guys sounds like it would be hard to swallow. Mental images of out-of-tune instruments, aggressive guitar feedback and uncoordinated songs may come to mind, but that is not the case here. Do not be afraid! This isn’t a little record thrown together in some guy’s basement…well, actually part of it was made in some guy’s basement, but that’s not the point being made. Thousands of hours of work have gone into the creation of Pink Oxford Womynn, which was released on April 20 of this year.
Alien abduction is the first thing that comes to mind when play is pressed on Pink Oxford Womynn, the full-length debut album from Chicago-born band 521 Briar. There is an excitement to see where this nearly 47-minute-long record will go. In the album’s intro, “Death Isn’t So Bad After All,” eerie keyboard chords give an otherworldly effect which sets the tone for the remainder of the album.
A strength visible early on of this 4-piece band is the ability to change the direction of a song in a few seconds. “Disney Kids (Oh, Poor Ryan),” is the first example of this. The collected beat of the beginning is paired with the opposite, wild vocals of the chorus which warns that “they want your blood.” Over and over again, Pink Oxford Womynn forces its listeners to pay attention, either with alternating guitar riffs or raw vocals. Even during the more calm tracks that remind listeners they are on a musical journey traveling through the realm of space rock, they are on their toes and waiting for what will happen next.
Juxtaposed amongst the cymbals and head-banging rhythms of previous songs, the hypnotic guitar riff of “Soft Tallow” lulls you into a calm state before a chorus appears midway through the song. Paired with a funky bass line, the song picks up as it progresses, preparing listeners to transition to the next track.
This is the kind of music you listen to with headphones on. Each song has a movement that is undeniable. It swells, curves, breathes and takes you along for the journey. It is the kind of music that you listen to with your eyes closed and think of nothing but the feelings being portrayed with each piece.
It is impossible to elaborate on those feelings, because music is something that is different and very personal to each listener. That is the magic of it, and the band members — Matthew “Balzy” Balzekas, John “Fitzy” Fitzgerald, James “Jonesy Bourgeoisie” Brown and Leonardo “El Diablo” Jimenez — captured it with Pink Oxford Womynn.
“Urjusta*,” the final track, whispers “You don’t know who you are,” as the album fades to a close. This is an undeniable fact, none of us stop getting to know ourselves, but while we figure this out, we should all get to know 521 Briar a bit better as they are bound to create even more exciting music in the future. Pink Oxford Womynn is looking to be a stepping stone to great things for this young Chicago band.
