Brian Scott Elmer’s new release The Past Increases, The Future Recedes dropped at the end of March and closes with the track “Timeless,” a fitting song to wrap up the six-song EP. Grounded in acoustic guitar, bass and a hint of strings/keyboard, the track never wanders far, nor does it ever really kick in with bombastic drums or flashy fireworks. Instead, vocalist Rudiger doubles down on some passionate harmonies that would make Layne Staley proud. The guitar and vocal performances are enough to keep the listeners attention, anchored by the perfectly uncomplicated bass. By keeping the arrangement simple, there is room for the lyrics and guitar lines to really connect. “Timeless” feels like it could easily have come straight from the 90’s, feeling right at home on an acoustic playlist alongside Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains or Soundgarden.
Brian Scott Elmer is a solo artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist who collaborates with a variety of vocalists (including Rudiger on “Timeless”) to bring his songs to life. The production is top-notch with every element of the song carefully balanced to create a fantastic mix. The playing is expertly executed with each strum sounding crisp and clear. The deep, rich vocals convey a sense of melancholy and introspection that perfectly captures the essence of grunge music, even if the track doesn’t have any distorted guitars and there is no flannel in the artwork.
Overall, “Timeless” is a hauntingly beautiful and intimate song that showcases Elmer’s exceptional songwriting abilities. A quick peek at the other songs on The Past Increases, The Future Recedes (including covers of The Beatles, The Cure and Devo) makes me want to go back and start from the top, one more time!
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