“We were driven as a band to create a body of work that could represent us unequivocally.”
This is vocalist and guitarist Dan Cervantes of San Diego rock band Mrs. Henry, who on July 5th, 2024 released a whopping 38-track rock opera album entitled Keep On Rising. To have that kind of discipline and ingenuity takes a special, dedicated group of like-minded individuals who know how to make magic happen — along with a lot of musical talent.
The (very) lengthy story of epic proportions that is Keep On Rising reaches far beyond the realm of your typical album, as the saga follows an aspiring rock n’ roller determined to reach the pinnacle of success and excess by any means necessary. Bursting with three separate yet inextricably linked acts, this rock opera tells the cinematic tale of a modern rockstar on the rise, hell-bent on reaching the top.
Along with Cervantes on this monumental sonic journey is Jody Bagley (keyboards, vocals), Blake Dean (bass, vocals), and Chad Lee (drums, vocals), who each play a crucial role in making this album what it is.
Emerging from the stagnation of the 2020 lockdown, like many, Mrs. Henry was restless to get back on the touring circuit doing what they love. Instead of sitting around wondering when life would get back to normal, the guys took on the seismic task of writing and recording an absolutely astounding collection of songs.
Any bottled up emotions were allowed to roam free in this creative process (which is evident when listening), tinging the music with a rare kind of authentic and theatrical emotional range. This musical tale weaves a gripping, high-adrenaline narrative that accurately describes a “cycle of rock n’ roll rise and fall.”
“To write a rock opera was the top of the mountain,” Cervantes stated. “It’s a tall order to write and record a rock opera, let alone any kind of concept album and composition with cohesiveness across the board. As artists, the notion of writing and recording a rock opera was always ‘romanticized’, but the actual time and work to manage seemed impossible given our tour schedules and lives as gigging musicians pre-pandemic.”
Considering the sheer scale of this project, it’s no wonder that Mrs. Henry drew inspiration from a myriad of sources. From the rock theatrics of legends like Alice Cooper, Queen, and AC/DC, to the melodic sounds of Billy Joel, the guys left no creative stone unturned.
With over two hours worth of sonic exploration to soak in, it was difficult to zero in on just a handful of tracks. That being said, there are a number that stand out amidst the complex cinematic backdrop.
The album’s third track, “We Are a Rock N Roll Band,” sets the stage for our story’s protagonist in grandiose power rock fashion. Ripe with subtle hints of character building and scene-setting, we can hear a screaming crowd and a triumphant declaration of this rising star’s hopes to have it all. This track really sets the tone for the album’s title.
“Bye Bye Baby” feels a bit more old school rock n’ roll with a combo of heavy-hitting electric guitar and resonating keyboard. With a relatively simple message of asking the tough questions about life, this track also can make you want to get down and groove. One of the longer tracks, this one packs a punchy guitar solo towards the end.
Another noteworthy track, “I Don’t Want To Let You Go,” shoots out of a cannon and fires through the speakers with a frenetic 80s style New Wave-rock type energy, arresting the listeners’ ears. It’s a swift and catchy number whose chorus is certain to get stuck in your head.
A quintessential tribute to the traditional notions of rock n roll, “The Sex Sells, Love Drugs, Rock N Roll Society,” brings us back to the protagonist’s consuming desire for fame and all the excesses that come with it. This one is more introspective than it first appears, recognizing a perpetual search for something more out of life. Much like The Band or The Beatles, Mrs. Henry alternates lead singers, with Bagley taking the reins on this one, delivering an all-powerful vintage vocal performance.
Delivering a furious ferocity is the 15th track, “In The Land of Nothing Matters,” which hits you with the force of a thousand anvils, exhibiting uninhibited, primal rock energy. Once again, we hear echoes of mounting desire for excess coupled with dissatisfaction at the present state of things. This song feels like a continuation of “The Sex Sells, Love Drugs, Rock N Roll Society”, yet much faster and wilder.
The pair of juxtapositional songs, “It’s Okay” and the ensuing “It’s NOT Okay,” appear back to back on the album as a unique duo of tracks. “It’s Okay” is a delicate and heartfelt piano ballad, displaying raw emotion and tenderness. On the contrary, “It’s NOT Okay” immediately strikes with an epic David Gilmour-esque solo and crushing drums, still maintaining the dramatic flair, but with more power.
In “Here Comes Your 21st Century Rising Star,” our protagonist boldly claims his place in the world of rock n’ roll, refusing to give up on this lifelong dream. This track feels triumphant and hopeful, as if he is on the precipice of stardom.
With its message of epic hippie proportions, the 30th track, “Everybody Wants Peace and Love,” could just as well transport listeners to the muddy half-naked fields of Woodstock ’69. Another hopeful and anthemic number, this song preaches the importance of human connection and that we’re all living this life together.
Fans of Freddie Mercury and Queen will immediately recognize the familiar energy with the 35th track, “We’re Gonna Win,” a track cleverly reminiscent of “We Are The Champions.” Bursting with a triumphant outlook and massive theatrics, it’s hard not to feel capable and confident when listening.
After the intense trials and tribulations chronicled in this rock opera, “Hope, Keep On Rising” reaches a promising and sensational climax as our protagonist resolves to keep up the fight. The epic “Keep on rising” chorus that repeats over top of the blazing instrumentation towards the end is not unlike something you might hear in a Rocky movie were the song out during that heyday.
When asked about the challenges of ordering a 38-track album, Cervantes told us, “When we started this album, we had our bookends- our beginning and our end. It was then a matter of filling in the chapters and pages of the book. It was a challenge indeed, but as more songs were written and completed – the path presented itself.”
Observant listeners will notice clever details sprinkled throughout the album, which is a testament to the work put into such a creation. When you really start to take in their lyrics, you’ll notice some foreshadowing and little hints at other song titles off the album. The sheer breadth of epic tracks permeating this album is astounding, and many feel like their own little sagas aside from the album as a whole.
Regarding messages and feelings the band strives to deliver to fans with this album, Cervantes simply stated, “Hope.” He went on to say, “Hope that art and rock n’ roll is still very much alive, and that there is still a band out there that is motivated enough and has conviction to believe in the power of music. You gotta take a chance.”
Members of Mrs. Henry can also be found performing music of The Band with Chest Fever, a career move approved by The Band’s founder, Robbie Robertson, before his passing. Their work with both bands is ushering us into a new generation of rock n roll, paying homage to the iconic rock n’ rollers who paved the way for them.
