The unique project God Alone, headed by The Devil Wears Prada frontman Mike Hranica, released “Bent Shoulders” via Rise Records on July 20th. Let me tell you, it is a definite and welcome contrast from The Devil Wears Prada material.
This is a project that seemed to be simmering for quite a period of time. Throughout the years, The Devil Wears Prada fans saw the evolution of the band, which many saw welcoming and some saw confusing. Some fans have wondered whether or not The Devil Wears Prada maintained their Christian roots and other fans have wondered whether the band has became either heretics in the faith or committed apostasy. One thing is certain, Mike Hranica is a philosopher and a thinker in a world where a lot of music seems so shallow and empty to listen to.
God Alone is what happens when noise/fuzz rock meets the spiritual and philosophical musings of the the mind of Mike Hranica. Tracks such as “Heavy Metal” tackle the topic of legalism in the Christian faith, which essentially means that some Christians are worried more about the rules and tenets of Christianity that they have to follow instead of worshipping the Holy Trinity. “Stay Away, Professor” seems to tackle the closemindedness that organized religion can bring about. The track “Gold Rush” seems to advocate for a minimalistic lifestyle and describes the scourge of excessive materialism.
In terms of the musical arrangements, the piano is certainly haunting and reflective in the title track with the piano being coupled by what sounds like white noise, and the guitar work and rhythm arrangements have an Alexisonfire meets Thrice feel to it. It is certainly a welcoming instrumental in “Bent Shoulders”. “My Sabbath” sounds very urgent and doesn’t sound restful as the word “sabbath” would imply.
In this record, the philosophical and spiritual musings, along with using allegory and storytelling makes this a surprisingly deep record for Mike Hranica’s project God Alone. It’s not only poignant, but it is also poetic, and such a contemplative listen for the noise rock genre. Madness To Creation rates this a solid 8 out of 10 stars. Check out the track listing below.
- Tiny Bantam
- Heavy Metal
- Firehouse
- Stay Away, Professor
- Bent Shoulders
- Milk Drinkers
- My Sabbath
- Gold Rush
- Impeach Bandana
- David
- The Flutist
- Dreadnaught
God Alone have a few tour dates coming up to support “Bent Shoulders”. Check out the tour dates below.
Sunday, July 22nd- That 70’s House in Nashville, Tennessee (w/Fever Blush, Woolbright, Chase Huglin, and Father Mountain)
Monday, July 23rd- The Green Lantern Bar in Lexington, Kentucky (w/Fever Blush, GRLwood, and Psychic City)
Tuesday, July 24th- Classics Victory’s Live in Columbus, Ohio (w/Fever Blush, Castile, and Jonathan Burgess)
Wednesday, July 25th- Shakespeare’s Lower Level in Kalamazoo, Michigan (w/Fever Blush, Pack Sounds, and The Krelboynes)
For tickets and further information on any of the shows listed above, click here.
Fans can find God Alone at the following locations:
www.instagram.com/godaloneband
