Spirit Moves

Philadelphia rockers Wild Rompit impress with the release of their first LP - Spirit Moves.  Combining indie rock with a touch of soul and heart, the band showcases a polished sound and accomplished songwriting not often seen in groups that have only been around a couple years.  Spirit Moves is a solid outing from an upstart band.

Four friends from the east coast formed Wild Rompit back in 2011 and began to work their way through the Philadelphia college scene.  Since that time, lead singer Blair Ollendorf has been carefully crafting Spirit Moves.  Focused on writing songs that resonate with people's lives, Spirit Moves aims to examine the moment in a 20-something's existence when they reflect on themselves and their treatment of others along with how life and death effect the human spirit.

From the first few moments of opening track "We Savages," listeners might be suprised by the crisp, clear sound that dominates Spirit Moves.  Wild Rompit guitarist Brandon Bost also served as producer of this album and spent six patient months putting it all together.  The hard work certainly paid off.  "For The Night, For Our Life" opens with some beautiful piano work and turns into a moody jam which becomes the highlight of the album.  As the shortest track, it leaves you wanting more.  The emotionally charged "Lost" also shines as a soundtrack to the 20-something generation searching for their path in life.  As a 20-something myself, I certainly connected to the track when Ollendorf sang about "chasing our dreams even if they are broken."

"Right Coast Blues" is an interesting attempt at the genre with a basic blues sound and beat.  Title track "Spirit Moves" is a deep piece revolving around personal loss.  The song transforms half-way through becoming more powerful with each word that Ollendorf sings.  For an album concentrating on loss and the unknown facets of life, Spirit Moves is not all doom and gloom.  The album ends appropriately with "We'll Be Okay," letting listeners know that these difficult experiences shape us instead of define us.  A bit of folk influence here and a smidge of blues influence there really make Wild Rompit stand out from the pack.  Anyone with interest in the indie rock scene shouldn't miss Spirit Moves.