Standing at the crossroads where the haunting echoes of guitar strings meet the vast landscape of rock music, we find a bearded and tattooed Bob Green lurking in the shadows, arms outstretched, holding in his hands his latest offering, Silver Screams for Silent Screens. An album donning a cloak of genre-defying tracks, this new collection of songs summons a unique harmony between nostalgia and novelty.
Silver Screams for Silent Screens kicks into gear with the energetic and vibrant “Next Full Moon.” An amalgamation of country, pop, and rock, the opener is an upbeat plea for a second chance in which Green wastes no time injecting an earworm into my unsuspecting brain, singing,
“I promise it won’t take too long,
And I’ll be back real soon,
Our stars will align,
Just give me until the next full moon.”
Upon first listen, I was immediately struck by Green’s powerful and resonant vocals punctuating the catchy track, setting the tone for what I would soon realize is a high-octane road ahead full of thrilling twists and turns.
Green follows up the spirited opener with the triumphant “Blood and Water”. Here, Green’s vocals are once again front and center. It quickly becomes evident that the talented singer is something of a vocal chameleon, effortlessly adjusting his tone, timbre, and vibrato to create dynamics that complement his songwriting. It’s this unique quality that makes the uplifting chorus on this track roar from the speakers, sweeping the listener up in its grandiosity.
With a seamless gear shift, “Unknown Road” finds us traveling in an unexpected direction. Through a display of crushing guitars, ominous echoes, and thunderous drums, Green masterfully blurs the line between rock and metal, delivering his vocals with a compelling sense of urgency that recalls the acclaimed vocal stylings of Maynard James Keenan (Tool). Through his impressive vocal prowess, Green conveys a sense of dramatic desperation that gives this track a truly epic sound.
In an homage to cinematic fright, “Run” emerges as a storytelling masterpiece. As Green begins singing, “It’s a Friday night, down on Crystal Lake,” fans of classic horror films will undoubtedly recognize the references to “Friday the 13th,” in which a hockey-masked Jason Voorhees terrorizes visitors to camp Crystal Lake. But don’t let the campy subject matter fool you; this is yet another outstanding and expertly produced track by Green.
The track opens with evocative and atmospheric guitar, creating the perfect canvas for Green’s clever and inspired lyrics. Those unfamiliar with “Friday the 13th” might interpret and enjoy the song as an intriguing tale of a dangerous romance full of abstract symbolism. However, fans of the film will interpret lyrics like, “You watched in fear as the knife pierced my heart, and I’m scared for you dear, ’cause he’ll tear you apart,” much more literally. Perhaps it is this track that inspired Green to offer a limited pressing of the record on clear vinyl with red splatter.
An outstanding track featuring passionate vocals and brilliant instrumentation, “Run” will be embraced by listeners regardless of their familiarity with the film, a credit to Green’s skillful songcraft and musicianship.
Continuing our voyage into the mind of Bob Green, we chart a course for the high seas on “Pirate’s Life,” as a charismatic Captain Green invites us on a rollicking journey through rough waters and salty air. An avid seafarer himself, Green does an admirable job crafting a seaworthy vibe on this track, with the steadfast beat and acoustic strumming conveying the rocking back-and-forth motion of waves and the mandolin providing a timeless Irish flare. This track will surely be a favorite of those lucky enough to sing along at one of Green’s live performances, “Yo-ho, yo-ho, yo-ho, it’s a pirate’s life…for me.”
Rounding out this musical odyssey, Green’s rendition of Nirvana’s “Drain You” is nothing short of spectacular. His daring solo acoustic performance is a poignant nod to Kurt Cobain’s legacy, infused with a raw emotion and vocal intensity that would make the grunge legend proud. It’s a fitting tribute to one of Green’s most significant influences and an album closer that will leave listeners stunned in silence.
Silver Screams for Silent Screens deftly glides across several musical terrains while never losing sight of its vision. Green’s versatility as an artist, coupled with his powerhouse vocals and inherent knack for storytelling through music, renders this album an intricate exploration of sound. An undeniably rich and rewarding listening experience, this album stands as a testament to Green’s originality and extraordinary talent, refusing to be confined to any single genre and instead reveling in the freedom of musical expression.
Mike Scanlon