SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: AREA RESIDENT – PROTANOPIA

AREA RESIDENT
PROTANOPIA
INDEPENDENT

Area Resident is the band name for Doug Hempstead, who is a solo act and does basically everything on the album. He does have a help from Jordon Zadorozny (Blinker The Star), who not only plays on it but mixed and produced the entire album. Also featured on the album are multi-instrumentalist Miguel Plante (Dad Sports) and vocalist Stella Panacci (Church Of Trees). But Hempstead is the star of the show, writing the songs and pulling everything together. Protanopia is Area Resident’s 11th studio album and the first full length album since last year’s Orgone (there was an EP released between the two albums, Transmute, which was done with The Autumn Clearing).

The album opens with a very moving and emotional instrumental “Local Smoke” which was inspired by the numerous wildfires. It may be emotional, but it still rocks. This is followed by a song about Donald Trump, “Fentanyl Czar”. It is an angry rocker with lyrics to match. The song has a great grunge feel to it. “Heel” is a more gritty blues-rock song.

There are more personal songs on the album. The lovely “Montebello Turn Around” is a love song set to an indie rock sound. Finally, the title track, “Protanopia” is a personal song that allows Hempstead to write about his specific form of colour blindness. Musically it is a power pop song that stays with you long after the song has finished.

This album offers more proof of Hempstead’s ability to write incredible songs. The music is rock with different styles and genres sliding here and there. His voice is strong and fits the music perfectly. It is a well-recorded and well-over produced album that never overdoes it or becomes cluttered. Protanopia is a great album.

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