Chokecherry – 'Ripe Fruit Rots And Falls' Album Review

Sean Friswell
2 minutes ago
3 min read

Tracklist:

Porcelain Warrior
Major Threat
Pretty Things
Secrets
Goldmine
Part Of You
You Love It When
Oblivion
February
Ripe Fruit Rots and Falls

Californian duo, Izzie Clark and E Scarlett Levinson, better known as chokecherry, released their debut album on the 14^th of November via Fearless Records, 3 Songs found out about it being out and I gave it a listen, I’m really glad I did.

There is no better feeling in music than discovering a great act for the first time and to do it by listening to their debut album makes it even better when you know nothing about them. I miss the days when you would buy an album on spec, take it home, put it on and discover something excellent, although sometimes it didn’t quite work out that way.

I got a similar feeling, without the physical aspect of opening the album, from listening to chokecherry. I love harmonies, always have, and this act have them in spades with some more to spare on top of that. What they also have is a mix of indie, alt-rock, shoe gaze, punk and rock and a smattering of pop to create a wonderful base for their signing.

I don’t know if there is any intention that they tour the UK but if there is I’d like to see how this translates to a live show.

There is drama, there is melody, there are introspective moments and there are moments when you can almost feel the mosh pit forming. There are touches of the Cocteau Twins, Echobelly, Curve, in some bits early Simple Minds and so many other excellent bands but it’s very much chokecherry’s own sound. They are clearly very accomplished musicians and writers but the real joy in this album is in being drawn into it, discovering each new song, deciding it’s the best one on the album then discovering you were wrong only to go back, listen to it again and realise they are all excellent.

The theme that comes through very strongly throughout this album is an exploration of what it means to be truly human, but also a lament, to an extent, for how difficult the world has become and how many people seem to be forgetting their basic humanity. This is an album worth of celebrating true humanity, how we should treat each other, how we should want to be treated and an almost plaintive plea for people to get back to that way of living. It’s a political album with a small p focussing on the need for us to be kinder to each other, to care about each other and to start making that change back to where we were and should be. It deals with these themes in a very personal way, start with your direct relationships and take it from there. Not a bad idea given how messed up the world has become and how intolerant people seem to be of each other these days.

As I said earlier every song feels like it’s the best on the album but my own personal favourite, from repeated listens, is 'You Love It When'. Something about it just clicked for me. I loved the rocky element, the chorus, the longing, if you only listen to one song as a taster I’d recommend this one, it should hook you in to your new favourite band although I think it’s pushed hard by 'Porcelain Warrior' and 'February', so why not listen to all three and then make your mind up.

If they are touring over here I, for one, am in and will be up the front to see if they can translate this album and energy onto the stage. Chokecherry, remember the name, I think you’re going to be hearing a lot more about this album and band.