Being in two bands is a full time job. But, for singer/songwriter of Dispatch and State Radio, Chadwick Stokes still has a lot up his sleeves. Built off of stories of his time spent train hopping and politically charged activism, Stokes has music that doesn't fit the mold of either his bands. The logical progression is to put out a solo album, and this one, his first, is a stab at folk music that is far beyond what you might expect. Dispatch and State Radio are full of high energy, and while both are rooted in folk music, Chad's music rarely touches such a personal level. Now, with this platform, Chad can showcase where he comes from and where he is rooted in his music, while still maintaining the same quality and delivery his fans are used to. The album is personal and well written, and features a handful of songs that are instantly classic. The lead single, "Back To The Races," is the closest bridge to Dispatch and State Radio, while still remaining stripped and bare, showcasing the lyrics. "Adelaide" is a song that Chad debuted with State Radio but given that it is a folk song, the right avenue and sound is portrayed beautifully here. The biggest surprise track is "Rainsong" which is Stokes' folksiest song ever and doesn't sound like either of his previous bands' work. You even get a bit of reggae on the bonus tracks which he recorded with Sierra Leone's Refugee Allstars. He enlisted a bunch of musical friends to help complete his vision, included folk legend Carly Simon. In all, Stokes has proven that some rockers do have a heart, soul, and centered core that drive them within their music. Chadwick Stokes is proof that as musicians dicover they have more to offer than they have been delivering, it's time to branch out and spread their wings, letting loose all the creative juices and setting free the all beauty of their talents.
After officially calling it quits in 2004 with a free show in Boston to 110,000 of their truest fans, Dispatch has returned for a reunion like no other. Announcing that they'd be reuniting and heading out on tour was just the beginning and fans began salivating for what was to come next. With all members of the band having incredible success in their solo ventures, it was a long shot that the trio would collaborate on new material, but this self titled EP is proof positive that nothing is impossible. Only six tracks long, the EP packs a major punch showcasing an entire array of new songs that sound like they could each have been plucked from one of the bands previous studio releases. Each member gets his turn as lead vocalist on the album. Chad Stokes shows off his chops on "Con Man," the most heavily reggae infused song in the set, "Melon Bend," the album's lead single and hardest rocker, and "Broken American," which showcases a bit of the bands political and activist side. Braddigan sings on "Beto" one of the highlights that draws major comparison to the "Who Are We Living For?" era. "Valentine" and "Turn This Ship Around" are Pete Francis' vocal contributions and at their core show off the songwriter style that Dispatch was known for in their earlier days. The production quality of the EP is outstanding and reminds us that indie bands can do it just as good as the big names. Although, now that Dispatch is a worldwide independent rock phenomenon, I would say that they are just as big as many of the bands that get major radio airplay. The bottom line is nothing is forever, and while it seemed like Dispatch was going to be a thing of the past about 7 years ago, it seems that is not the case. While we would all love the boys to continue to tour and make music together, this EP reminds us that whenever we need them they are there for us. Dispatch is quite possibly the best indie rock band ever, and no matter what, they will always be at the top of their game.