Ashford – Pictures of Places I’ve Been

Buffalo pop punk/emo rockers, Ashford, close out the year on a high note with their dynamo debut LP, Pictures of Places I’ve Been.
The record is a nine-track patchwork of new material and singles released earlier this year including the tracks “Temperance,” “Gorilla Glue” and “The Painter & the Patient.” Expect a variety of clean yet rough-around-the-edges vocals; powerful, overdrive guitars; and hefty, punctuative drums for a listen that will make your hair stand up.
Variety is what Ashford does best on this album. Like a pop punk buffet, the band cooks up a deeply satisfying mix of tones, textures and tempos that keeps Pictures of Places I’ve Been fresh and engaging. You’ve got your choice of softer, more poignant songs like “Bliss,” or heavier, crunchier songs like “Crown.” No two songs sound the same with each having their own distinct flavors to chew on for hours.
For such a diverse palette of sounds, the band does a fantastic job of balancing and blending it all together into a cohesive 30-minute listen. They succeed in large part to guitarists and vocalists Nathan Kohler and Trevor Balbierz, bassist and vocalist Tom Balbierz and drummer Alex Gennaro’s collaborative songwriting process. You read that right; three out of the four members trade off vocal duties throughout the album and each are strong, talented singers who command their respective tracks. Drawing from a wide range of influences, including the Buffalo music scene itself, Ashford brings their own individual perspectives and voices, literally and figuratively, to the record.
One of the many tracks worth spotlighting is “Leaving the Party Early.” Bassist Tom Balbierz sings a confession of existential dread on this Jekyll and Hyde of a track that showcases the duality of the band’s softer and heavier sides. Kohler and Trevor Balbierz weave whimsical, shoegazy verses over Gennaro’s punchy drumming before building to a bullying chorus with a bad attitude. It’s a great listen anchored by ratcheted tension and roughhouse releases that will knock the wind out of you.
Oh the places Ashford will go after Pictures of Places I’ve Been. The quartet shows a ton of promise on this awesomely well-rounded LP that slaps from start to finish. In the coming year catch Ashford playing shows in support of the album and while you’re there pick up a copy of the CD or vinyl for an exclusive bonus track.
Pictures of Places I’ve Been is out now and available on streaming platforms including Bandcamp and Spotify.
Categorised in: Album Reviews, Buffalo
This post was written by Matt Burgerhoff