North Carolina-based Adam + Attack by Fire releases Rhythm That Was, a song saturated with creative and startling melody changes. Throughout, you won’t know which way it’s going to turn.
The song dives straight in with vocals. It’s instantaneously melodious as he rolls his lyrics over a bellowing organ, acoustic guitar, and rolling drums. Within the first few verses, there’s an air of Beck to Rhythm That Was, further emphasized by the introduction of the violin.
Back to those melodies, because just as you’re getting comfortable, around 30 seconds in, the song takes a turn. This is where what’s been lingering becomes apparent: there’s a playful character to Rhythm That Was. A bit like Dylan’s Mighty Quinn, famously performed by Manfred Mann. But once again, there’s another twist as the drums turn direct and yet another catchy melody comes into play.
Around halfway through, you realize you’re on a ride until the end. It’s not a ride where you’ll scream and shout, but a psychedelic, whimsical, magical mystery tour. You could say Rhythm That Was is a throwback, with lashings of classic 60s and 70s. It has the ingenuity of Bowie and the stoned prose of Dylan. Combine that with the more recent eccentricity of the Flaming Lips and you’re close. But what stands out most is that it’s a song brimming with personality and imagination, something only identifiable as Adam + Attack by Fire.
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