Wait Out the Rain
An upbeat album despite its somewhat downhearted lyrics, Stepanian's Wait Out the Rain has accomplished instrument play, an optimistic vocalist and songs that vary their emotional state from uplifting to somber.
"Beautiful Disguise" has a haunting intro, but drums and guitar fade in to pick up the instrumental pace. The lead vocalist's timbre is revealing as he emotes his feelings about falling into a pattern he has dealt with previously, with such lines as, "Waitin' on the roadside, it's another Independence Day. I can't believe that I fell into the same old parade. This fire has exploded." Listeners can picture a man sitting alongside a deserted road wondering where life will take him next and what breakthrough lies behind the coming corner. The austere lyrics are a sudden contrast to the heartening beat of the song.
On "Everything," there is more drum play and what sounds like the scratchy chords of an electric guitar. This is yet another case where the instrument play is enthusiastic but the lyrics tell a different story. The vocalist talks about emptiness and not feeling whole, with such lines as, "I see my love/My empty eyes they're painted black. What I see shadows blowin'. The warning signs are everywhere and overflowin'." It seems he is powerless to halt his feelings and the darkness that threatens to invade his thoughts. The lyrics are dank, but if you don't listen to the words, you might think, given the sprightly flow of the instruments, that this song is a happy one.
"Straight Up" seems to be a warning about a girl the vocalist knows. He describes her using vivid adjectives, personifications and similes. The drum work amplifies his meaning as he utters lines such as, "Straight up, she's a roller coaster. She is an empty hole with a pretty face." He is cautioning others not to be fooled by her appearance, that behind the outside there isn't anything worthy of attention within. His aching voice could make listeners hear his words, but whether they believe what he is saying is entirely up to them.
On "Falling," the instrument play coincides with the toned down lyrics. Guitar is prevalent here as the vocalist spouts about instants in the past with his beloved, with such lines as, "So, we remember moments/frozen in a frame. Sometimes the love can be a miracle, love can be a carousel people change. And I'm fallin' down, things you left behind. Fallin' to the ground this time." He seems confused as to how he feels about this relationship. One minute he describes it as a marvel, but then he says he is plunging to the ground, you might get puzzled as to what he is trying to say, but finding the answer in the remainder of the lyrics might keep you listening.
Wait Out the Rain, by Stepanian, has thoughtful lyrics and cheery instrument play. They seem to be hovering over a successful music career, but listeners might get turned off if they hear an upbeat sounding song with depressed lyrics. They might not know what to make of the band and look elsewhere to fulfill their music tastes, so Stepanian should consider this when coming up with their next album.