Travis Ehrenstrom Band’s “Hollinshead” is a unique and captivating album that brings together elements of classic rock and progressive music to create a sound that is truly distinctive. Drawing inspiration from icons such as Pink Floyd and The Meters, Ehrenstrom and his band have crafted a record that is at once familiar and completely new. It’s heavy, meandering, and masterful in each piece of the arrangement of this immense and epic record.
Recorded live, “Hollinshead” captures the energy and synergy of the band in a way that simply wouldn’t be possible in a studio setting. The result is a sound that is dynamic and engaging, drawing the listener in from the first notes of the opening track.
But it’s not just the music that sets “Hollinshead” apart. The lyrics are consistently evolving, engaging and provoking, exploring themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in a world that can often feel chaotic and overwhelming. From the funky Jethro Tull-esque “Sauce” to the smooth and groovy blues rock anthem “Where Was I Today?,” each track is a journey of its own, inviting the listener to lose themselves in the music and emerge on the other side with a renewed sense of purpose.
One of the standout tracks on the album is the final closer, “Still Turning,” a 14 minute long epic progressive rock magnum opus that showcases the impressive guitar skills and raw, soulful vocals. Most songs stand out as powerfully instrumental juggernaut pieces, with vocals often being a singular piece of a puzzle that’s as complex as it is exciting.
In the end, “Hollinshead” is an album that defies categorisation, blending genres and styles to create something that is truly unique. It’s a record that rewards repeated listens, with each listen revealing new layers of meaning and nuance. If you’re looking for music that has that timeless edge and forward-thinking energy, look no further than Travis Ehrenstrom’s “Hollinshead.”