DOUBLE GAINER RELEASES SUCH IS LIFE
Double Gainer – such is life Album Review
WRITTEN BY CURT GIVENTER
Double Gainer’s first LP such is life is a powerfully packed record filled with plenty of inspiration from the early-2000s, creating an album that is catchy, memorable, and downright enjoyable. These guys’ debut album sits at a comfortable 22 minutes with eight tracks, not overstaying its welcome by any means, as each song seems to have its own character. The guitars are punchy and yet not too heavy in the mix, letting the gritty vocals shine through and strike the listener. The rhythm section is solid, holding it down with reliable bass lines and clockwork drums, matching the melodies well. By the end of it all, it feels complete as a project yet leaves one wanting more as the album invites you to run it back.
The first two singles released for the LP, “Sleeping on the Couch” and “Meeting in the Middle” are great choices to lead in potential listeners. “Sleeping on the Couch” stands out to me immediately as within the first listen, the chorus sticks in your head for hours just from hearing it once. The guitar melody is infectious and sounds full as multiple tracks are layered over one another. The words “I’ve been so lost, for so long” easily resonate, leading the listener into the chorus, belting along with the lead singer. As the track speeds up, it meets an abrupt end, leading back to that point where you just want more. “Meeting in the Middle” maintains Double Gainer’s heavy sound while dialing it back a bit, leaving room for some closed hi-hats and palm-muted guitars in between crunchy, powerful choruses. The vocals never let up however, keeping that grit in his voice, really portraying the pain in the lyrics.
The album is structured in an interesting way, opening with the first single followed by three brand-new tracks, twice-over. So, you really could say this album is a double gainer! One of the standouts from these new songs is “Easy to Forget,” an anthemic track where the chorus is just as infectious as the first single. The lyrics remain relatable to the listener, talking about an unrequited love, losing their significant other and leaving them alone with their thoughts. Yet, the driving chorus invites the listener to keep their head up and move on.
Another standout from this record is “Fine. Go.,” a track where instead of lamenting over their lost love, they push on and accept the truth. Listening to this song motivates and encourages, with the lyrics “I’m coming around and learning how to be alone” striking hard in the soul. The interlude on the album, “Buried Deep” stands out as well being the quietest song on the LP. The clean, reverb- and chorus-filled guitar shines as recorded conversation plays in the background, encasing the listener in a moment that they never knew they were in. As this goes on, the vocals fade in subtly, going into a crescendo that finally reaches its climax at the very end.
The title track “Such is Life” is the closer on this record, letting the album ride out triumphantly. The vocals cry out against regret, giving the listener something to take away at the end of it all, leaving you with a sense of satisfaction and finality. Altogether, such is life is a record filled with resonant lyrics, pounding drums, some serious riffs, and catchy melodies that stick with you days after listening. Fans of 90s and 2000s rock will love this LP, as it is reminiscent of many bands from that era while infusing hardcore and emo elements, creating a cohesive first body of work from Connecticut-based band Double Gainer.