We all know that genres are a thing of the past. Yet, many bands and artists still insist on sticking to a signature sound or style, as if it is sonic tribal allegiances rather than their ability to write good songs that keeps people listening. A Farewell Device, not a band but actually Bay Area singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Justin Vanegas, reminds us that if done correctly, you can dance deftly across the entire musical landscape, visiting numerous genres, without losing a sense of your creative self.
Before Daylight contains a fistful of songs, each pushing slightly different styles but all connected by A Farewell Device’s sonic personality, for want of a better term. This isn’t the sound of a scattergun of sonic themes, this is musical adventure done deftly and decisively.
“Help To Lie” emerges from folk finesse and gradually evolves into more rock and roll-driven influences until we get to a sonic crescendo where a wild fiddle spirals and spins around those big guitars, a great way to start, hinting at the expansive musical spectrum that the EP is built upon. “Jesters and Spies” is big, dark, anthemic, and brooding, “51A” revels in some bouyant pop-punkery, and “Jealous of the Ghosts” embraces the age-old singer-songwriter sound, albeit one more than a bit shaded and brooding.
“Did I Do That?” is a brilliant piece of finely crafted country-punk, with drums rattling, atmospheres pooling in the wide open spaces between the music, boy/girl vocals in dialogue, and the violin adding a third voice to the conversation—the perfect ending to a great set of songs.
So, what have we learned here? Well, obviously, we now know just what a great songwriter Justin Vanegas is, but if you have been paying attention, you will now understand that it is okay to mine the sonic landscape far and wide for influence and inspiration. Not only is it okay, it is actually essential. Otherwise, what’s the point?
