Frank Cervantes – Not Far Down the Road (2022)
Small towns are something that a lot of people overlook in favour of sprawling cities and the interesting stories they are sure to have. This is something that Frank Cervantes is avoiding with his EP, Not Far Down the Road, which is a tribute to small towns everywhere. Through the tracks of the EP, he not only pays tribute to smaller places, but also considers the complex stories that are hidden in their streets.
As he tells the stories of these towns, Cervantes merges retro guitars with dreamy pop, classic rock and a dusting of psychedelia. Drawing on his experience as both a solo artist and founding member of the synthwave group Retroglyphs, this EP is a great follow-up to his last. Recorded at his home studio, he is joined by Josh Mayer (drums) and Brian Engler (bass).
The EP opens with ‘Minnesota’ and its earthy strummed tones. There is a strangely intimate, yet expansive, feeling to the melody. It is like you are sitting on a porch looking out at storm clouds in the distance. The strummed tones of the guitars push out into the expansive feeling, while the vocals hold you close as they bring a touch of confession to the song. Cervantes’ performance brings a further intimate touch to the track as he steadily works through the confessions and contemplations of the lyrics. The chorus calls out with an emotive tug that hooks into your chest, drawing out a light yearning. It is a wonderful opening track that perfectly captures the feeling of small towns and the universal stories that they have.
‘Can’t Fake In Love’ has a country edge to the opening as the harmonica calls out. This takes a turn as the guitar enters, bringing a retro vibe that is washed with a light psychedelia. The lyrics have a great storytelling flow to them, allowing you to easily see the characters of the track in your mind. The vocals have a haziness to them that enhances the retro vibes of the track, while bringing the emotions to life. There is an interesting melodic arrangement to the track as new guitar lines enter, adding to the overall texture of the song. These new lines seem to soar into the stratosphere at times, only to close in around you, leaving you in a kaleidoscopic haze.
The more soft rock style of ‘Let Them Wait’ brings a new feeling to the track. The lyrics are packed with a dream of something more tempered by the acknowledgement that others might not understand the dream. The chorus offers the understanding you need to chase your dreams and the knowledge that those who care about you will be happy for you. While there is this understanding, the song is tinged with a melancholy that dips into uncertainty. The delivery of the vocal performance has a live feeling to it like it has been recorded in a bar as Cervantes performs in the middle of a set. This live feeling adds a little something to the feeling of the track that makes it even better.
‘Not Far Down the Road’ is a wonderful mix of classic rock tones and dreamy rock-pop. The guitars have a haze to them that creates a foggy upper layer to the melody, while the lower tones cut through the mist, to lead you down the soundscape. The vocals are like a light beckoning to you through the mists, while also acting as a companion walking through the fog with you. The lyrics tell the story of the obstacles that many people face living in a small town. At times, the vocals have a hopelessness to them that really tugs at your heartstrings. Through all of this, there is a melodic movement that has you utterly hooked to the track and a little shocked when it comes to an end.
The EP ends with ‘Backwards Town’ which uses a light piano line to grab your attention. The vocals have an old folk-rock vibe to them as they almost whisper the story of the old town to you. There is a lethargy to this track that fills you with the blurring of days that can happen when you live a monotonous life in a small town. The rather stripped-back vibes of the track make it really easy to listen to, but also enhance the sadness that has been woven into each word and note.
Frank Cervantes pays tribute to small towns and offers up some of the tales they have to tell across the emotive tracks of Not Far Down the Road. Each track has a very different feeling, much like each small town has a different vibe. While there is a lot of melancholy woven into the tracks, there is also something beautiful threaded through that showcases the wonder of these little towns.
Find out more about Frank Cervantes on his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
