Remember Sports, a band once self-described as a “basement rock band,” has significantly transcended those humble origins with their album Like a Stone. This collection, and particularly the evocative “Like a Stone” song, showcases a remarkable evolution in their sound, songwriting, and production, solidifying their place in contemporary indie rock. Originally formed by Kenyon College students in 2012, the band, fronted by the distinctive vocals and songwriting of Carmen Perry, quickly garnered attention, finding a home with Father/Daughter Records. Their journey from the raw energy of 2018’s Slow Buzz to the meticulously crafted Like a Stone is a testament to their growth and collaborative spirit.
The album Like a Stone is not just a collection of songs; it’s an experience. It reflects the band’s dedication to honing their craft, evident in the sophisticated arrangements and performances throughout. Heavy touring alongside bands like Jeff Rosenstock and Joyce Manor sharpened their musical interplay, while support slots with artists like Lomelda and Trace Mountains broadened their artistic horizons. This journey culminated in a meticulous pre-production process for Like a Stone, involving sectional rehearsals and detailed demoing, allowing each musical moment to fully blossom. The result is an album filled with smart, nuanced indie rock that retains the warmth and immediacy of their early work, but with a newfound depth and sonic richness.
The title track, “Like a Stone,” is a poignant example of the album’s emotional core and lyrical depth. The lyrics, “My heart feeling like a stone / You flicked your wrist and let go,” immediately establish a theme of emotional weight and release. This “Like A Stone Song” metaphor perfectly encapsulates the feeling of heartbreak and emotional numbness, a sentiment that resonates deeply with listeners. The song’s gentle instrumentation and Carmen Perry’s affecting vocal delivery amplify this sense of vulnerability, making it a standout track on the album. The repeated line, “So we go back where we started again,” suggests a cyclical nature to emotional pain and relationships, adding another layer of complexity to the song’s meaning.
Beyond the title track, Like a Stone is rich with musical exploration and thematic depth. The album showcases a multi-instrumental approach, with band members Catherine Dwyer, Jack Washburn, Connor Perry, and Carmen Perry trading instruments. This collaborative approach results in a diverse sonic palette, ranging from biting bass-and-drum grooves to ethereal synth textures and found sound elements. Carmen Perry’s vocal performance is a highlight, effortlessly transitioning between pop-perfect melodies and raw, emotive expressions. As Carmen herself notes, she enjoys “mixing the pretty and polished with our vibe, which is more detuned and discordant,” a philosophy that defines the album’s unique sound.
Remember Sports Band Photo
The album draws inspiration from a wide range of influential rock acts, including Built to Spill, Rilo Kiley, Sleater-Kinney, and Yo La Tengo. These influences are not directly copied but rather serve as touchstones, informing Remember Sports’ approach to songwriting and arrangement. The album’s production benefits from the expertise of Carlos Hernandez and Julian Fader, known for their work with Nadine. Catherine Dwyer describes the experience of working with analog equipment as “thrilling,” and cites Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk as an inspiration for achieving a direct, impactful guitar tone.
Lyrically, Like a Stone delves into themes of personal growth and self-discovery. While Remember Sports has previously explored themes of breakups, Like a Stone focuses on breaking away from past versions of oneself. Carmen Perry’s lyrics navigate feelings of self-doubt, transforming them into a call for self-compassion. Her experiences with Catholicism, religious studies, and an eating disorder provide a powerful lens for the introspective and often raw self-examination present in her songwriting. The album’s title itself, Like a Stone, as Carmen explains, “references something that’s slipping away, or sinking down into your brain to a place you can’t find.” This imagery of something heavy and sinking is central to the album’s emotional landscape.
Musically, Like a Stone is incredibly dynamic, shifting effortlessly between genres and moods. Tracks like “Pinky Ring” with its playful melody and bright tambourine, and “Eggs” and “Odds Are” with their country and Tejano influences, demonstrate the band’s versatility. “Out Loud,” with its gated drums and synth textures, leans into a more pop-oriented sound, while “Flossie Dickie” showcases their punk roots with energetic instrumentation. Even the brief “Coffee Machine” encapsulates the album’s sonic diversity, blending surf guitar and organ sounds in a concise and intriguing package.
Despite the album’s exploration of heavier themes like insecurity and mental health, Like a Stone ultimately offers a sense of optimism and resilience. The songs are about emerging from negative thought patterns and finding new ways to care for oneself. This sense of hope is reinforced by the band’s close-knit dynamic and collaborative spirit. As Carmen Perry notes, “We’ve grown up together and grown to trust each other.” Jack Washburn emphasizes the communal and cathartic nature of their music, hoping to create something both “communal and loud and cathartic, but also kinda confidential and private.”
In conclusion, Like a Stone is a significant step forward for Remember Sports. The “like a stone song” and the album as a whole represent a mature and sophisticated indie rock offering that is both emotionally resonant and musically adventurous. From the introspective lyrics to the dynamic instrumentation and polished production, Like a Stone is an album that rewards repeated listens, inviting listeners to delve into its depths and discover something new with each play. It’s a testament to the band’s growth, their collaborative spirit, and their ability to create music that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. Explore Like a Stone and experience the compelling artistry of Remember Sports.
