Dead Professional - “Ashes Are Ashes”
“Ashes Are Ashes,” by Dead Professional, is a stripped back and slow burning song full of melody. From the very start, the fizzy and distorted guitar draws you in, creating a unique and engaging soundscape. The guitar almost sounds like a distorted electric piano and may very well be both guitar and electric piano… The bass line provides a solid foundation for the song, acting as a nice pad and gluing the arrangement together.
The arrangement of the song is very minimal in places, with just percussion and vocals present, but this allows the vocal to shine. The vocal delivery is brilliant and, for some reason, reminds me tonally of Chris Isaak…. But with none of the smooth, howling, sugary crooning. As the song progresses, the rising drums and percussion add energy before coming to a stop in order to allow a dreamy and woolly guitar solo that perfectly captures the main melody of the song.
“Ashes Are Ashes” is a unique soundscape that doesn’t disappoint. The artist says: “It’s the first release after a long hiatus during which a spinal cord injury nearly cost me my voice and guitar-playing abilities. The whole experience led to a fresh determination to not only put music back on the front burner but to turn up the heat. I'm pushing the songwriting and production beyond the cool-headed minimalism of my earlier work into new emotional and sonic territory.”