By: Ethan Grove & Jack O’Sullivan
November 13th saw the release of Stoby’s third album “Reinventing the Waltz”. This project started in 2017 as the band was first coming together. They had recorded all of the instrumentals and were working with Matt Gilmore, of Slack Bridges, on writing and recording the vocals when everybody got busy and the album had to be shelved for the time being.
“By the time we were fully formed we were working on less mathy stuff, so these songs were shelved,” said the band. “When the pandemic started, there was no more live music, so we started recording this youtube series called ‘better know an Ottawa band’, and we started pulling out these unfinished songs, and from there we decided to start writing vocal melodies for these long lost instrumentals.”
Instead of just recording the vocals themselves and releasing an album that didn’t quite sound like the Stoby of today they decided instead to make something even bigger.
They got to work trying to find other local musicians to be featured vocalists on the album and were able to create an eight song EP comprised of vocals from nine different local artists.
“We started asking people we knew in the Ottawa music scene,” the band said. “The biggest fear was asking people who didn’t want to participate but were too polite to say no, so we eventually made a post on instagram and people volunteered. A lot less pressure that way. Sometimes we were just near recording equipment and the featured vocalist in the same room, asked, and recorded on the spot.”
Review
Reinventing the waltz could not have a more accurate title considering the project is almost entirely in ¾ time. So, be sure to grab your tuxedos and gowns because this album will make you wanna move.
The dynamic guitar playing, syncopated rhythms, and wistful melodies seems to have a beautifully melancholic sound that gives the listener a nostalgic feeling. Stoby shows us a more midwest-emo sounding origin with modern day lyrics that reflect on past relationships, past struggles, and the time that has passed. This all works to amplify the theme of vintage and reinventing that we hear throughout the project.
Sonically, the album has pretty consistent production that feels a little more raw and slightly stripped back allowing for the hard-hitting songs to speak for themselves. Each part feels integral to the overall picture, tastefully complementing each other removing any need for flashy studio tricks.
Across the project, there are many different vocal features (see credits below) that add great depth to the powerful group vocals sections and even guest verses. The unique tone changes throughout along with the roster of contributors on each song.
Reinventing the waltz paints a wonderful picture that looks like riding the bus at 3 p.m. in November while listening to some underground band from 2008 with song titles that are way too long. The forgotten project was reborn, repurposed, and readied for release at the perfect time.
Album Credits:
Maryse B: Vocals and keys,
Rick V: Vocals, Bass, and Guitar (on Brain Buzz)
Kevin S: Guitar, Bass Drums
Smoke Machine (Beth)
Stoby feat. vocals by Sarah W and Alex N
Home Sweet Home
Stoby feat. vocals by Adam Ferris.
Parrots (Cape Cod)
Stoby feat. vocals by Matty Grace.
So true (Another good day)
Stoby feat. vocals by Carrie Blair, Cole Hallman, Max Trepanier, Liam Leonard, Sarah, and Adam Ferris.
Motionless (Mrs. Woods)
Stoby feat. vocals by Adam Ferris.
The Twilight Years
Stoby feat. vocals by Liam Leonard, Andrew Grosvenor, and Max Trepanier
Your side of the woods (Nirvana-Weezer) (Julie)
Stoby feat. vocals by Sarah W.
Home Sweet Home Reprise
Stoby
Dedicated to Matt Gilmore of Slack Bridges