By Degrees is the third LP from Heavy Seas, a power trio from Chicago. The line-up features Jeff Dean on guitar and vocals (The Bomb, All Eyes West, Airstream Futures, Her Head’s On Fire); J Robbins on bass (Jawbox, Burning Airlines); and Ronnie Dicola on drums (The Arrivals, All Eyes West). By Degrees follows two previous LPs, Everything Breaks (2021, Little Rocket Records / Rad Girlfriend Records) and Distortion Days (2024, Little Rocket Records / Rad Girlfriend Records). As you can see, this is a line-up with strong pedigree, some would justifiably say a bit of a “who’s who” list or whatever.
I reviewed the previous 2 LPs at the time of release, but am yet to obtain the second one (if anyone wants to send me one hint hint – hilariously I was supposed to pick up a copy of that and the second LP from Her Head’s on Fire when they played in Leeds recently, but I got slightly drunk and wandered off into the rainswept night – had the money ready and everything. I did have a very nice time though), so I’m already familiar with this band. Weirdly enough, the initial release of this third LP passed me by last year. I had no clue it was even happening. To be fair, it dropped during a period when I had taken a break from actively writing, and I suppose generally paying attention. My bad. The thematic area of this record appears to be around the often fractious nature of personal and band relationships, as well as how the two can even influence each other; the road dog life pushing things into, let’s say, divorce territory. I don’t doubt that there’s some hard subject matter here, although it must’ve been cathartic to get it out there.
The course of progression from the first album continues here. Jeff’s vocal feels even more confident and powerful than it did on Distortion Days. by the third LP it’s only natural that there’s an element of self-assurance and power that was lacking at times on Everything Breaks, althoug I thinlk I mentioned at the time that it had it’s own special charm. The Robbins and Dicola back section gives an even more robust framework to proceedings than had previously been evidenced on previous releases where Katie Karpowicz (Airstream Futures) fulfilled bass duties; and she’s certainly no slouch in that department either.
Jeff Dean’s guitar playing. Just, wow. That monstrous, reverb soaked wall of sound he creates is truly sublime. Channeling Bob Mould (Husker Du, Sugar) and John Reiss (Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes, Rocket From The Crypt, Plosivs, Waxwing) to create this immense cacophonous melody that’s tempered by his Anglophile obsession with the works of Noel Gallagher and the like. I mean, how the hell do you go about making something feel texturally thick and mysteriously ethereal at the same time? It’s baffling to me, but I’m not a musician.
Much as with Distortion Days, I feel that By Degrees is going to have some real cross genre appeal, from your No Idea Records type, to people digging on that post-grunge thing ala Fleshwater, Narrow Head etc., not to mention post hardcore heads out there. What can I say? I’ve been playing this A LOT. It’s really great.
Tony of Nurgle rating 9/10
Regrettably I don’t have a stream of this to share as I can’t find the motherfucker on bandcamp and I won’t stoop to spotify or whatever, so Youtube it is:
By Degrees is available in the UK on sonic blue swirl vinyl from Engineer Records at the very agreeable punk price of £15.99.
