Aluminum Boys’ new single ‘Common Pleas’ is anything but common. The track comes ahead of their album, ‘Collected Pieces’, set for release on March 28 via Nail Polish Emoji Records.
Created in San Jose and comprising friends Jared Ottman and William “Bill” Pence, Aluminum Boys bring a modern slant to indie rock while maintaining a retro edge. They say all music is derivative, and while it’s true that ‘Common Pleas’ sounds familiar, there’s definitely enough on the track to give it its own unique sound.
Pounding drums, clanging cymbals, swirling synths and jangly guitars are met with languid vocals that, while laid back still manage to convey some of the cleverest lyrics I’ve heard in a long time.
“You never thought you would write poetry
Till one day you got called down to jury duty
And you made eyes with a stenographer
named Tracy
At the Cuyahoga County Court of Common
Pleas
She had butterfly clips in her hair
Butterfly tattoo right behind her left ear
And butterfly nails that tickled the keys
At the Cuyahoga County Court of Common
Pleas”
Absolutely marvellous!
There’s a great trumpet section in the middle of the track (performed by Lilly Aycud) that’s just exquisite, and adds perfectly to this song about falling in love with the butterfly-emblazoned stenographer, and what she represents. Tracy’s butterflies symbolise freedom, or at least, wanting to be free; you know she’s not going to stay a court stenographer forever, she’s got her mind on bigger things. Whether or not that includes the song’s protagonist remains to be seen – probably not, she likely doesn’t know he exists. Nonetheless, she’s inspiring both him (and the listener) to choose a different path, to aim high, and that can’t be a bad thing, can it?
‘Common Pleas’ is out now. You can listen to it below, and stream and download it from Bandcamp. Find out more about Aluminum Boys and their music online on Instagram.
