Fresh on the scene, The Great Disappointment are celebrating the radical roots of American music on their politically-driven debut album, Apocalypse Pickin’ Party.
The four-piece country and roots group hail from Richmond, California, melding timely tongue-in-cheek political commentary in their fun rootsy sound. The 12-track album — which included six additional friends who contributed to the collection — hit streaming services yesterday, October 15, 2024.
On the album’s opening track, “Baby Bro,” lead singer and guitarist Patton Price sings over a gloomy, western instrumental about a younger brother-type and Proud Boy with “Red pill ideas in his head / And a warm beer in his hand.” Referencing contemporary movements and ideology, Price is frustrated with “Baby Bro,” who subscribes to problematic right wing beliefs. Price sings, “Baby bro was a Proud Boy / But he never made much of a man.” The dobro-driven opening track establishes the group’s leftist views and their readiness to bring their beliefs forward into the spotlight .
The band’s debut single, “John Henry,” places an American folklore hero in the modern age. With the classic sounds of the mandolin and fiddle, the track is a toe-tapping ballad about the rapidly changing economy and technology. With mentions of Uber, Crypto, NFT’s, and the Cloud, John Henry has “Broken free from spacetime / John Henry is the singularity.” Like in the classic story, he has risen to the challenge and above the need for machines. But in current times, there is a lot more we are up against than steam-powered drills. This track shows their cheekier side for more off-the-beaten-path lyrical content, prevalent throughout the album.
The album’s second single, “Caterpillar,” is an anti-war song, speaking specifically about the Israel and Palestine conflict. With the title as a reference to the brand of tanks and bulldozers, Price repeatedly asks, “Who could have known?” about the destruction these machines can bring. The lyrics reference the murder of Rachel Corrie, who was crushed by an armored bulldozer while protesting in Gaza in 2003. The group continues to weave overt commentary into their western Americana and roots sound.
Another notable track, “Algorithim,” is about the relentless influence that social media has on ideology. The track is a bluesy ballad following a man who gets lost down an ideological rabbit hole: “The algorithm went to work on him / The flying monkeys dug their fingers in.” With references to controversial conspiracy theories, The Great Disappointment demonstrates their awareness and attention to these timely 21st Century issues.
The album’s final track, “Roots in the Redwoods,” is an archetypal classic country song, with a satisfying blend of fiddle, banjo, plucky bass, and twangy vocals. With striking imagery of iconic trees in the band’s homeland, the track is about interconnectivity and growth, ending the album on a note of humanity and hope: “Lives intertwine together like the roots of the redwoods / Come back in a thousand years and we’ll still be standing ‘round.”
The Great Disappointment is composed of Price, Rowan McCallister (mandolin, banjo), Adam Lord (bass), and Chris Barnes (percussion). Incorporating bluegrass, classic country, blues, and contemporary influences, the band is dedicated to preserving Americana’s cultural roots and continuing to push the boundaries as society and our country evolve — for better or worse.
While having just been established as a unit this year, The Great Disappointment have all the qualities of a captivating Americana outfit: crooning Dylan-esque vocals, precision string instrument play, and a steadfast message to share. Folk and Americana has a rich history of addressing our everyday lives and political issues, and this band continues that trend.
Melding classic tropes and folklore with contemporary issues, Apocalypse Pickin’ Party is a celebration of American roots music, both its history and its future.
