SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE OLYMPIANS – IN SEARCH OF A REVIVAL

THE OLYMPIANS
IN SEARCH OF A REVIVAL
DAPTONE

It’s been a decade since The Olympians, a New York-based R&B/soul instrumental group, released their titular debut album The Olympians. Their new record, In Search of a Revival, is a departure of the band’s cosmic, Greco-Roman mythology themes from their debut record to a more grounded approach taking inspirations of The Olympians’ frontman Toby Pazner’s real-life experience and the tumultuous post-pandemic age we live in.

Leading off is “In Search Of A Revival Part1.” The title track opens to a western motif accompanied by tambourines and acoustic guitar riffs embodying a spaghetti western cinematic entrance echoing Sergio Leone’s Dollar’s Trilogy. It also refers to the band’s search of a new identity musically and discovering unique genres to add to their discography.

With a psychedelic-funk jazz groove, “Strawberry Kiwi” is accompanied by horns and piano riffs heavily influenced by Sly & The Family Stone and OutKast’s “So Fresh, So Clean.” A perfect cacophony mix of old-soul meets modern hip-hop interpolation transporting you to the ‘70s and the ‘90s.

“California” opens to an amalgamation of swing-jazz, funk, and western motifs with funky horn instrumentals, guitars, and drums oozing charm, charisma, and swagger, harkening to the ‘60s-like Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. It also pays homage to the western films that came before.

“Saraswati Puja” is the standout track from the record. It references a Hindu festival celebrating the Hindu Goddess Saraswati’s birthday. The festival honors the Goddess of knowledge, music, arts, and wisdom. It also marks the arrival of spring. It features a mix of Classical Indian music with psychedelic funk as it transports you to a spy film or a trip to India traversing to different regions of the country.

“Honey Bea” is the final track of the album, which opens to a laid-back vibe of various instruments of strings and brass. It’s the perfect track for a summer hang with friends at a park using influences from The Beatles.

The Olympians’ In Search of a Revival charts a new path of cinematic soundscape with sweeping arrangements using influences from different genres.

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