Focus on Nature

Nick Saloman has often been accused of living in the past, and anyone who has spent much time with his recordings with his longtime project the Bevis Frond will understand why. Salomans tastes run heavily to classic psychedelia, folk rock, and early prog rock, with a lysergic outlook and a fondness for trippy guitar freak-outs. The Bevis Fronds 2024 offering Focus on Nature makes clear most of Salomans musical reference points still run to the 1960s and 70s, though hes been paying enough attention to the world around him to have plenty to say about 21st century life. The first two tracks, "Heat" and "Focus on Nature," are lyrically urgent salvos about the environmental crisis, with Saloman singing with great ferocity about the precarious state of the planet, while the opening track (as well as "Empty") suggests hes fashioning his own kind of punk rock, more artful than the common variety but still full of tough guitars and purposeful anger. (The press handout that comes with the album says Saloman is a fan of the Wipers, and if hes no Greg Sage, he sounds firmly committed for a man of 71 years.) Focus on Nature isnt always explicit in the meanings of Salomans lyrics, but between his fears about global warming, his dislike of fast food, his disinterest in the other bands on the bill, and a metaphorically empty tank of gas, this album finds him in a darker mood than usual, and on these 19 songs, it suits him. Theres a dour eloquence in Salomans vocals that fits his instrument well, and he and his band work wonders with the downcast tone of the melodies, with strong, engaging melodies and plenty of the heroic guitar work thats the Bevis Fronds signature. If the Bevis Frond hasnt been as prolific in recent years as they were in the 1980s and 90s, the quality of their work remains impressive, and Focus on Nature is thoroughly pleasing and beautifully crafted, the sort of album Salomans cult following will delight in while those new to his work will wonder where his somber joy has been all their lives. ~ Mark Deming