Mighty Massachusetts outfit return to deliver a killer set.
There’s something really special about a Winterpills album. Really special. The combination of exquisite songwriting, mixing male and female vocals perfectly, near perfect musicianship and a stunning sound that combines numerous musical styles help create their own unique feel.
Based in Northampton, Massachusetts, the band’s core are husband and wife Phillip Price and Flora Reed and over an eight album career have regularly been joined by Dennis Crommett (electric guitars), Max Germer (bass guitars) and Dave Hower (drums, percussion). Sadly it’s been nine years since their last release due to family commitments, other musical opportunities/temptations and Covid. And it’s with a big smile that we can say they’re back in utterly captivating form with a stunningly good album. The mix of edgy, indie sounds with contemplative and emotionally charged music work wonders again and it’s like delving back into your favourite book after a hiatus – or snuggling up to your cherished blanket on a cold, chilly winter’s evening.
The band are signed to Signature Sounds, a fantastic, small but really inventive label where Reed just happens to be their publicist and Price is a part time graphic designer and webmaster. The fact the band have survived intact for so long is outstanding, the duo’s marriage is in its 17th year and the five core members have managed to be together (on and off) for a marvellous 23 years.
One of the most effective part of their sound is the way Price and Reed,s vocals blend so effortlessly and this continues on this new album. We open on a haunting and powerful track ‘Wild’ with Crommett’s edgy guitar dominating a slightly ethereal song, with a glorious accompanying video with the band, masked, wandering through The Labyrinth, Williamsburg, a suitably spooky outside space. Nice to see the youngest member of the band, nine year old, Wesley Price, in the cast.
‘Lean In the Wind’ is classic Winterpills. A strong edgy guitar riff builds with beautiful vocals from Price and Reed, over a catchy and atmospheric tune. Price apparently started writing the song during Covid and Reed finished it off, with heartfelt message of a wistful longing for the connection of family and friends, something challenged during the ravages of Covid. Another splendid video accompanies the song and it’s the sort of epic whose tune will stay with you for days.
The powerful ‘Hi’ is a sombre and sobering account of despair and how to win against its demands, with gentle acoustic strumming hugging Price’s and Reed’s humbling vocals, with both of them working brilliantly together. Utterly gorgeous. ‘How We Dance’ is another instant winner, an incredibly catchy tune with beautiful harmonies and a chorus with superb, electric guitar underpinning the whole glorious feel. As soon as the song finished it went on to replay. ‘Small Dreams’ opens with more catchy guitar and then a propelling hard drumbeat allowing the song to blossom with really effective vocals and a tune to die for. A chugging, anthemic slice of near perfect pop rock. ‘Predelugian’ has a softer feel with a strong beating drum throughout and those glorious vocals swooping in. It’s suggested this should be played really loud. I’d countenance that by suggesting the whole album is aching to be played really loud to fully appreciate the mastery of the music within.
This is a brilliant, awe-inspiring set of fantastic songs, and after a lengthy break, Winterpills show no sign of faltering – they’re at the top of their abilities, and this is one hell of an album. Simply astonishing all round.
I fully agree with the review! This is just a great album – in my opinion the best of 2025!