Over the past twenty years, Detroit hasn’t necessarily been a hub for folk and alt-country. Those genres have scratched the surface, but techno and garage-rock have been the poster children for the Detroit “scene”. Why these genres are so popular has been a question asked by many. Maybe it’s the bludgeoning guitar riffs, the room shaking bass drops, or the gritty drum kicks that capture the underlying madness of the city. Whatever the answer is, it’s a city that represents the valiant pocket of the long forgotten Midwest. But within that mix of musical trends, urban legends, or any pre conceptions of Detroit, there’s a band called Bonny Doon. Bonny Doon isn’t like most Detroit bands. In fact, I’m not even sure if it’s safe to consider them a Detroit band.
I state this in a positive manner. Their 2017 self released Bonny Doon is unlike anything to come out of Detroit. It’s a cosmic journey to an alternate universe of freak folk euphoria. As your ears explore that universe, you’ll discover a colorful medley of guitar hooks and truthful songwriting.
It’s not the honesty that appeals to me most on Bonny Doon, but rather the sun soaked melodies the band incorporates. It’s eleven songs worth of summer time nonsense and musical imperfections. However, these imperfections act as the cherry on top of a truly perfect album. Lyrics such as “Im still drinking from your cup/ I’m still smoking your bowl/ Dreaming of a life where we get old” capture the aesthetic of never ending youth they so boldly promote.
At first listen, some obvious comparisons quickly came to mind. Bonny Doon show a strong influence of back door country artists such as Silver Jews, loose, rambling lyrics of Pavement, and the instrumental bliss of Real Estate, but there’s more to them than vague similarities of indie giants. Bonny Doon are one of the only bands in the internet age to produce a sound as authentic as it is honest. Their guitars twinkle with a sense of weightlessness and a lack of urgency, and their hooks are sprawling with 21st century truth.
Bonny Doon is the type of album I’ve been searching for aimlessly, year after year. Not only do they showcase their folk rock abilties, but they mix it up with loud experimentation and fast paced rhythms, particularly on “Lost My Way”. “Lost My Way” is the song that proves Bonny Doon are a diamond in the rough. The resonant transition from a frantic beginning to a slow guitar jam highlight the excellent musicianship Bonny Doon so gracefully bask in. Their luscious guitar playing drips with warm emotion, perfectly illustrating the surprise of a summer solstice.
I’m not saying Bonny Doon are the saviors of an era, or even the authors of a new one. No, Bonny Doon are simply a fantastic band suffering from an unexplainable lack of publicity.
As summer approaches, Bonny Doon will continue to encapsulate that sincere sentiment of barefoot, front porch rock we so dearly long for, making for the perfect album to waste away the days of freedom and sunshine.
