We Don't Have Each Other

Philadelphia-based singer/songwriter and Wonder Years frontman Dan "Soupy" Campbell tries his hand at Americana storytelling with the debut of his new solo project Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties. After four albums and countless tours with his hardworking pop punk band, stripping down for a more organic, acoustic approach seems like a natural move for a maturing artist in a genre known its youthful angst and snarkiness. He's certainly not the first to trade in his Vans for some well-worn hobo boots, but while the instrumentation has changed from power chords to banjos and harmonica, Campbell's new subdued approach still takes a decidedly emo bent as he delivers a sort of concept album which paints the portrait of the character Aaron West, a sad Brooklynite in a dead-end relationship trying to bust out. Produced by the Early November's Ace Enders, We Don't Have Each Other is broad in its scope as Campbell tries to fully inhabit West's life and subsequent escape, delivering the lyrics in third person with a sensitive, toned-down croon that that still rings with punk affectation. The story itself is compelling as it unfolds over a backdrop of gently strummed roots folk with big, emo choruses. ~ Timothy Monger