The excellent full-length debut from Robert Peterson and The Crusade, Change Coming On presents a gripping fusion of alternative rock, power-pop, and modern indie. The act first caught our ears with album track “Eye On The Sparrow” this past September, impressing with its folk-laden complements, and that quality songwriting is consistent throughout the album’s nine other tracks, as well. The release consumes in its balance of hooky immediacy and no-frills rock ‘n’ roll charisma, marking a thorough success of a debut from the band, formed in St. Paul, Minnesota, and now based in Southwest Missouri.
Amongst the album’s many highlights, recent single “Sometime” is exemplary of Robert Peterson and The Crusade’s knack for tonal variety and effectively interwoven hooks — and not without lovely touches of experimentation. In the case of “Sometime,” it resembles an initial synth-pop character — with those “synth” lines actually being a MIDI-controlled guitar performing synth-style tones. That electronic-like element moves briskly throughout alongside punchy guitars, as Peterson’s vocals let out “welcome to your life” into an irresistible hook, fondly reminiscent of The Cars in its stylish energy.
Another standout track, “I’ll Die a Little” moves beyond the anthemic rock spiritedness into a heart-on-sleeve emotion, set within a jangly, late-night feeling. “We’ll meet in the middle,” the vocals reassure in the soaring chorus, its reassurances for everything to be “all right” consuming into a harmonious “something to say” punctuation. “Get Things Started” is a gem as well, fusing organs and heavy-rocking guitars for an example of the band’s ardent side. From its doses of experimentation to replay-inducing immediacy, Change Coming On is a fantastic full-length from Robert Peterson and The Crusade.
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“Sometime” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
