B-Side Guys

There’s something to be said for the raw, unvarnished honesty of a dive bar. In some ways, Bells Deep is the musical version of your favorite dive. It’s the kind of music that doesn’t just entertain, but resonates on a deeper level, speaking to the universal struggles and triumphs of the human experience. And with their upcoming third album, “Out to Sea,” Los Angeles-based project Bells Deep has crafted just such a soundtrack – a collection of songs that is as emotionally potent as it is sonically diverse.

Set for release on May 31, 2024, “Out to Sea” is the brainchild of musician Corey Bell, who wrote and recorded the album during a particularly tumultuous period in his personal life. In the spring of 2023, Bell’s partner of more than two decades faced significant health challenges, undergoing major surgery and confronting the uncertainties that come with such an experience. It was against this backdrop of fear, hope, and the looming specter of loss that Bell retreated to his home studio, pouring his heart and soul into the eight tracks that would become “Out to Sea.”

The result is an album that is at once deeply personal and universally relatable, a testament to the power of music to help us navigate life’s roughest waters. From the hard-hitting rock of opener “I Forgot Who I Was Trying to Impress” to the psychedelic-tinged introspection of closer “Out to Sea,” Bell and his collaborators take listeners on a journey through the full spectrum of human emotion, crafting a sonic landscape that is as varied as it is captivating.

At the heart of “Out to Sea” are the themes of sudden loss, nostalgia, and the persistent hope that carries us through even the darkest of times. These motifs are woven throughout the album’s lyrics, which balance clever wordplay and gallows humor with raw, unflinching vulnerability. On “Longing,” for instance, Bell grapples with feelings of frustration and helplessness, singing “Bored and aggressive, the best version of my worst self / I personalized my own private hell.” It’s a sentiment that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to keep their head above water in the face of life’s challenges.

But even in its darkest moments, “Out to Sea” never loses sight of the light that guides us back to shore. On “Broken Clouds,” Bell reflects on the fragility of life and the things we hold dear, acknowledging that “all of your fears are way too near to pretend you’re all free and clear.” And yet, he finds solace in the idea that “Someday we’ll be stardust / A million light years away / In some cosmic collision / Reunited again.” It’s a message of hope and resilience, a reminder that even when we feel most adrift, we are never truly alone.

Musically, “Out to Sea” showcases Bells Deep’s impressive range and versatility. From the driving, anthemic rock of “Too Real” to the haunting, atmospheric soundscapes of “Where I’m Not,” the album is a master class in sonic storytelling. Bell’s guitar work is particularly noteworthy, ranging from searing solos to delicate, finger-picked passages that perfectly complement his emotive vocals. And on the title track, “Out to Sea,” he even breaks out a cigar box guitar for a backwater revenge dirge that is as chilling as it is cathartic.

But perhaps what is most impressive about “Out to Sea” is the way it balances moments of catharsis and release with quieter, more introspective passages. Songs like “Parallel Reality” and the title track are exercises in restraint, with Bell’s lyrics and melodies given room to breathe and resonate. It’s in these moments that the album truly shines, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences of loss, longing, and the search for meaning in an uncertain world.

Of course, no preview of “Out to Sea” would be complete without mentioning the significance of its release. Not only is it the first Bells Deep album to be pressed on vinyl, but it also marks the inaugural release on the Denver, Colorado-based Portal of Eels label. It’s a fitting partnership for a project that has always been about pushing boundaries and exploring new sonic territories.

Ultimately, “Out to Sea” is an album that demands to be experienced in full. From start to finish, it is a journey through the human condition, a dive bar soundtrack for life’s tempestuous tides. With his most focused and emotionally resonant collection of songs to date, Corey Bell has crafted a work of art that is both deeply personal and universally relatable – a testament to the enduring power of rock music to help us weather even the roughest of seas.

So mark your calendars for May 31, 2024, and prepare to set sail with Bells Deep. “Out to Sea” may take you to some dark and stormy places, but it also offers a beacon of hope and a reminder of the things that matter most. And in a world that often feels like it’s coming apart at the seams, that’s a message we could all stand to hear.