The Flashpot Moments – Describing The Ruckus (2020)
Boston-based Tim Cawley, the man behind The Flashpot Moments, has approached his latest album Describing the Ruckus like a personal fantasy camp. Using the classic sounds of rock, he paints a canvas of America in a digital and physical sense. While doing this, he has reached out to some of his dream collaborators and roped in a constantly changing collective of artists to bring his fantasy to reality.
Two of the songs on the 11-track album were what started everything off. Originally meant as a 2-song reunion EP with former bandmates, the creative juices took hold during lockdown. When Cawley took stock of everything, the album was already 11 songs deep. We sat down with Tim Cawley to talk about the album and his creative process.
The album starts with ‘Madeline’ which draws you in with a progressive guitar opening. This leads you to Cawley’s vocals full of this wonderful melodic rock vibe. There is some classic rock guitar work on this track and a beat that makes you bop your head to it. The interplay between the music and vocals has this energy that you can’t help but get into. It is a very easy song that gently draws you into the album.
‘Woke Up On A Couch’ has a very different opening with these notes coming up from the low levels and echoing in the background. The easy vibes of the opening track continue in this song, but there is something else going on as well. Cawley’s vocals are more emotive on this track as he clearly paints the scene. You can also feel a sense of youthful energy and excitement within this song.
The guitar opening of ‘Mayhem Ensures’ is so wonderful and hooks you while pulling you into the song. This track has this floating and flowing feeling to it with a splash of emotion. Cawley’s vocals have a different vibe on this track and soar on the chorus. This is a very entertaining track to listen to and it just fills you with a fun vibe. This is in opposition to the lyrics that are not the happiest, but there is a sense of motivation and positivity within them.
‘The Stadium Version’ has a very apt title because it opens with this line that you can imagine blaring out in a stadium. There is an anthemic feeling to this song and you can easily start to singing along. If you were playing this song while stuck in traffic, you would be yelling out the lyrics like a mad person. The song just has this vibe that grabs your chest and fills it with energy.
The wavering opening of ‘Riveted’ wraps around your head to send you spiralling into the vibe of the track. There is a hint of sadness in this song threaded into the somewhat sombre vocals and the dampened melody. Compared to the other tracks on the album, this one has a grounded feeling that offers a sense of solidity. The lighter notes later in the melody do lift the spirits a bit, but the song continues to have a grounded feeling.
The next track is ‘Headfirst’ which brings back that pure rock feeling from the start of the album. However, there is this bassline thrumming through the melody that you are drawn into. There is a lot of energy in this song that has you moving to it. The catchy lyrics and singalong feeling of ‘The Stadium Version’ seeps through on the chorus while the verses have a slower flow. This movement builds you up for the infectious chorus and makes it hit a bit harder.
‘Wrongs Got Right’ hits you with Cawley’s vocals from the first moment and has a ballad flow to the opening. This gives way to a contagious melody that has you rocking to the rhythm. The clicking notes and echoing backings add to the message of the lyrics. Those backing vocals have an ethereal edge to them that works so well with the melody and the rock vocals.
The light melody opening of ‘There, Just Then’ gets you floating to it from the first second. Cawley’s vocals match the melody and are a gentle touch on your ears. Throughout the song, there are these moments where the guitar makes an appearance and you think the song might take a turn. However, the gentle floating feeling continues and just lets you drift to this unbelievably pleasant melody with some sad lyrics.
‘The Jangle Version’ is another aptly named track which opens with a jangly melody. The melody again hits you with a different vibe and these almost summery feelings. While you are hit with this feeling from the melody, the lyrics have a more nostalgic vibe going. You could easily sit back and listen to this song in order to relax.
‘Unboring’ uses a lilting opening to get you into the mood of the song with this soaring guitar line in the undertones. As you float to this opening, you are hit with a driving beat and guitars that take you in a completely different direction. The upbeat vibe of the melody and the thumping music pulses through your chest in the most pleasant way. Cawley’s vocals are a smooth upper layer to the melody as he drags you into the story of the song.
The album ends with ‘Last Call’ that opens with these organ notes and Cawley’s vocals. The opening gives way to a driving beat that could easily drive you a little crazy. There is an awesome vibe to this song that has you moving to it before you even realise you have started to move. The lyrics are perfect for a closing track, but have an infectious energy that shines through in the vocal performance. At the end of the song, you are left feeling great like you would after a good time with friends.
The Flashpot Moments takes you on a journey through infectious beats, sombre tones and upbeat melodies in Describing the Ruckus. This album is packed full of catchy tracks that you will want to listen to again and again. The swings between different melodies showcase Tim Cawley’s versatility and provide a little something for everyone.
Find out more about The Flashpot Moments on his website, Instagram and Spotify.
