Rob Rice - "and the Devil's Threesome" EP
ROB RICE - “AND THE DEVIL’S THREESOME” EP
Human connection is sacred and has become increasingly rare. It’s perhaps been the most perfect year to NOT make a record based around a massive spinning wheel of collaborators, but Rob Rice has apparently listened to the ill advice of his shoulder devil and done it anyway. Turns out, I’m glad he did. Given the naughty connotations of Rice’s debut EP’s title - “And The Devil’s Threesome” - I found myself quite surprised at the sweet sincerity of these songs, and all the more emotionally invested because of it. The idea of “The Devil’s Threesome” reveals itself to be far from a nosedive into the perverse, but is instead an exploration of the internal battles between what we perceive to be the right or wrong thing to do, the good or bad way to treat and be treated by someone you love. Though the protagonists of Rob Rice’s songs (sometimes multiple to a tune) are rawly within their own emotions, the listener is granted an omniscience that gives Good and Evil equal footing, and between them emerges the Truth.
Much, if not all of the subtext that grants the listener the power to read between these characters’ lines exists thanks to the impressive myriad of collaborators assembled to realize the full potential of this song cycle. Shimmering trumpets, a mournful clarinet, rumbling piano, and drums like the waves of the ocean bring great depth of emotion to the lyrics sung by Rice in a voice that makes me suspicious that he might be a long-lost third Avett Brother. There are simply too many talented guests and special musical moments to name here (there’s a full list of features below), but two personal favorites include an unexpected improvised harp and cello coda by Calvin Arsenia and Ezgi Karakus on the opener “Tiny Window” played with a fragility that feels like we aren’t ready to leave the room we’ve come to know so well, even with all its complicated memories, but know we must. Another highlight is a rare lead vocal from Coleen Dieker - the Angus Young of violin - lending a tender counter perspective on the swelling ballad “Serial Lover” that reminds us that not all harm is caused with malice, and that what is right for now often cannot be for always.
There’s an old saying that it's the Devil who’s kept the Church in business all these years. I’m not personally religious, but I do like the idea that without facing down the demons that wish to guide us down a destructive and alienating path, even walking with them for a bit, we would live without context for what is good or virtuous about being alive. Rob Rice seems like (or at least he writes and sings like) someone who has seriously considered the Devil’s offer but declined. Perhaps he was shown what it is he truly wants in this life, but is intelligent and empathetic enough to see that a potentially selfish desire can inspire living and creating for the benefit of others. As a self-described “choirmaster” to his excellent musical guests, Rob Rice has learned something that the characters in his songs are still searching for, or may know but still fear; that we are at our best when we invite someone else to be their truest selves in our world.
“And The Devil’s Threesome” features (in order of appearance):
Calvin Arsenia - Harp and vocals
Ezgi Karakus - Cello
Rachael Feeley - Vocals
Landon Hambright - Upright Bass, Vocals
Teri Quinn - Clarinet, Vocals
Stephen Roper - Drums
Coleen Dieker - Violin, Vocals
Blob Castle - Arco Double Bass
Mark Lowrey - Piano
Miki P - Vocals
Clint Ashlock - Trumpet
Eva Louise Hall - Vocals
LISTEN NOW
Review by ::
Fritz Hutchison
Manor Blog Contributor
Manor Records gives 100% of the article author rights to Fritz Hutchison.