In only 26 minutes, Bob Green provides audiences with an exciting, novel take on several different aspects of music, whether it be the combination of acoustic and studio elements, impressive vocals, refreshing lyricism, and even the reinterpretation of a popular Nirvana hit. On top of that, Green also uses this album to clearly express his love for making music with the rest of the community. While it’s not the most popular album on the scene right now, Silver Screams For Silent Screens certainly garners and deserves the love and attention of the fans of several different musical genres.
One of the things that makes Silver Screams For Silent Screens so exciting is the unique use of electronic and natural sounds throughout the album. Some songs are almost completely acoustic, while others lean more into programmed drums and captivating audio effects, but every song has some components of both, resulting in an enjoyable mix between modern pop and country. Green also uses some unique vocal effects that give his voice a more enigmatic timbre that draws the listener in automatically. However, Bob Green still takes the opportunity to showcase his acoustic guitar skills in songs like Pirates Life, where he lays down a very expressive solo, and also simply by playing interesting strumming patterns with great voicings.
Green also keeps listeners on their toes with his voice. In some songs, his voice is very clean, with a much more pop music-esque tone, but then in others he really gets into the notes, like in his song Run, putting weight towards every single word in a way more reminiscent of late-90’s, early-2000’s rock. On top of that, Green also shows off just how much power he has vocally, letting out belting notes in multiple different songs, such as Blood And Water. Overall, the variety of vocal styles and the strength of Bob Green’s singing combine to create an admirable performance.
Straying away from typical songwriting topics is also another thing that makes Bob Green’s new album worth the listen. Rather than spend his time writing only love songs (although no one’s saying love songs aren’t enjoyable), Green’s album has a great variety of songs that delve into darker topics, like struggling with troubled thoughts and trying to escape through substances. A great example of this is his song Next Full Moon, which uses a kind of werewolf metaphor to describe not being in the right state to find love, however much you want it. On the other hand, Silver Screams for Silent Screens also has its share of lighter songs that tell stories about life on the seven seas and leaping into the unknown for the greater good.
At the end of the album, Green performs a cover of Drain You by Nirvana, which is worthy of attention all by itself. Implementing his skillful vocals, excellent ear for an entertaining mix of studio sounds and acoustics, Bob Green does this song justice and more. He clearly has plenty of respect for the original version, and doesn’t stray too far from the blueprint, but within those guidelines he spins this song in an exciting new way. The song is mostly just Green singing and playing acoustic guitar, but it has a break in the middle of the song that includes sound effects that could almost be described as industrial, which add a lot of depth to the song. Bob’s voice and vocal range is also well-suited to this tune, and he really digs deep into some of the lower notes in an intriguing way.
In all, Silver Screams for Silent Screams is an entertainingly unique, very clever mix of a whole bunch of the old and the new, leading to an unmatched sound with some great storytelling and some compelling messages. If you’ve got about thirty minutes to spare or you’re just searching for the next songs to add to your playlist, this rocking surfing-enthusiast is well worth the listen.
Written by Evan Cooper