SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BIG WRECK – THE REST OF THE STORY

BIG WRECK
THE REST OF THE STORY
SONIC UNYON

Following a series of four EPs released within the first three years of the decade, Big Wreck have returned with their first full-length album since 2019’s …But For The Sun. Recorded during the same sessions as 2023’s Pages EP, The Rest Of The Story picks up from where the band left off with a collection of 11 new songs.

The Rest Of The Story opens with the ambient haze of “Staff Party,” a song that, over the course of its five-and-a-half-minute runtime, covers a wide range of territory. The track also features a spacey chorus for Ian Thornley’s gritty vocals to bellow over, and heavy instrumental passages, before closing on a softer note, echoing the start of the song. Setting the tone for the record, “Staff Party” is an ambitious track that sees the band take on a complex arrangement. Pulling from a different influence, the following “Holy Roller” is abundant with soaring guitars and acrobatic tricks that are distinctly reminiscent of the lead lines, techniques, and solos of Eddie Van Halen. The track is an absolute masterclass in shredding, as Thornley reminds listeners of his often underrated but highly virtuosic approach to guitar.

The musicianship across The Rest Of The Story shines bright as a consistent factor that separates the band from its peers. Additionally, the songwriting that teeters towards progressive rock, without losing listeners in the overwhelming technical aspects associated with the genre, makes The Rest Of The Story yet another example of how Big Wreck pushes the envelope and defies stylistic expectations. Take the lead single, “Believer,” a song featuring a killer riff, a radio-ready anthemic chorus, and a progressive-fusion influenced solo as a key example of this. When paired with the disjointed pulse and explosive dynamics of “Out Of Range,” the acoustic “Laws Of Man,” and the raw intensity of “Dog With A Gun,” it proves that Big Wreck have crafted a highly versatile record.

True to form, this record proves that Big Wreck don’t miss, and The Rest Of The Story is no exception. As a strong entry into the band’s catalogue, the musicality and songwriting make The Rest Of The Story an ambitiously thrilling record that capitalizes on the very essence of what makes Big Wreck special among the landscape of modern rock. If anything, The Rest of The Story demonstrates that Big Wreck remains a captivating band, made for the format of a full-length album, on their latest outing.

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