REVIEW: Good Old War - Part of Me (EP) (2017)

"Oh, when you look at me, it feels like we're stuck in time. Feels like we're floating with the stars in the sky. Tell me it's okay to cry."

Good Old War - Part of Me (EP)
September 1st, 2017

1. How Did You Find Me?
2. Oak Tree
3. Only a Number
4. Part of Me
5. The River

Over the summer, Good Old War announced that, not only had they reunited with their previous drummer, Tim Arnold, they had also recorded a new EP that would be out on September 1st with the single and title track, “Part of Me.” Today is the day and that EP is finally out! This marks the fifth release from the Philadelphia trio under the name Good Old War, a clever combination of all the members’ last names.

Good Old War is not the extent of their history in the music scene, though, not even close. Keith Goodwin and Tim Arnold were also in a band called Days Away before letting go of that project and starting Good Old War. Personally, Days Away is a favorite of mine and if you’re a fan of these guys, I suggest you check them out! It goes further than that, though. Early on in the Good Old War days, they toured and recorded with Anthony Green, formerly(?) of Saosin and currently of Circa Survive, on his first solo album, Avalon and continue to do so today. I’ve yet to be able to see Good Old War live, but did catch them on tour with Anthony and it was a phenomenal show.

The trio is known for their folky yet still progressive take on music and songwriting. Lyrics are often very romantic and pretty without being overly cheesy or cliché. From start to finish, the music is always stellar with lots of western and country influences while still retaining their rock background.

Their first three albums, Only Way to Be Alone, Good Old War, and Come Back as Rain, all had a very cohesive sound. Their growth as a band could be measured in obvious ways with them leaning more into the harmonies and acoustic nature of their sound and less on the mixture of punchy rock moments. After Come Back as Rain, Tim announced that he was leaving the band to focus on his family and it left fans wondering what that would do to their sound. They’d never been a band who exchanged members or anything like that so the assumption was that Dan and Keith would continue as a duo and that ended up being the case.

Broken Into Better Shape was the last album they released and showed what Keith and Dan could do on their own. The album was lyrically and vocally superb and while the music was good enough, the use of drum tacking left something to be desired. There are still some great songs on the album but, to me at least, it felt a bit too different and electronic compared to their previous work.

Now, though, Tim is back and the band has put out Part of Me. Let’s see how it compares!

“How Did You Find Me?”

The first song on the EP immediately impresses and lets fans know that the boys are back. Not that their previous album wasn’t good but there was something missing. This track is a slower, prettier one and is obviously a love song, which Goodwin excels at writing, lyrically. Everything about “How Did You Find Me?” screams classic Good Old War and sets up for a simply beautiful experience through the rest of the EP.

“Oak Tree”

The second track picks things up a little bit and brings the lovely harmonies that are part of what makes Good Old War so unique and fun. This one reminds me a good bit of their second, self-titled, album. The vocal melodies, harmonies, straightforward music and general upbeat sound bring me back to listening through that album.

“Only a Number”

The middle track, “Only a Number,” on the other hand, reminds me a lot of their first album, Only Way to Be Alone. The guitar riffs are more fun and interesting, backing up a vocal pattern that’s more in-your-face and rock sounding, while of course still retaining the folky nature.

“Part of Me”

The title track slows thing back down and is more of an acoustic song. Still, though, it reminds me of their older stuff and that’s definitely a good thing. This was also the first single they released from the EP and I think they made the right choice. It’s slow, pretty and shows off a lot of the harmonies the band is so good at. Keith’s vocals here get lower a couple of times and it sounds very good with the unique voice that he has.

"The River”

Things get picked back up for the final track. Much more folky and fun than the rest of the EP and it brings back Goodwin’s other style of lyrics; the way he sees life in a more interesting and optimistic way, even if he phrases it in a negative light sometimes. “If life is a river, we’re all gonna meet in the ocean.” I personally like this style of songwriting just as much, if not more than his romantic and sweet style.

Conclusion

Well, folks, that’s the end of the EP. I have to say, I’m very impressive and happy with the way this turned out. Dan and Keith are both great musicians when they work together but it just felt like something was missing without Tim and now things feel whole again. This is definitely a throwback to their earlier stuff but I hope it’s also a sneak peek at what’s to come from the trio. Go stream the EP and show these guys some love however you see fit.