[ALBUM REVIEW] THE BAND CAMINO - ‘NEVERALWAYS’ LP.
Album art image: https://www.thebandcamino.com/music/
Words: Mal Keecher
'NeverAlways' Has Just Begun and it soothes the listener with a light lulling introduction. It’s a poignant prelude that captures the essence of this eleven-track album, setting the tone and mood for ‘NeverAlways’–an album of dichotomy, between their upbeat pop and lo-fi sensitivities, between Never and Always. Overall, this record is heavy on emotion but poised, reflective and dreamy, with emotive lyrics that capture one's attention in a feel-good kind of laid- back way. Occasionally pensive, often heartfelt and affective, 'NeverAlways' brings out my softer side. One that feels deeply and is often reflective, especially where human relationships are concerned. Has Just Begun sets the tone:
I think I need to sit down
Something just clicked
I'm about to be sick
Because I never felt like this until now
Maybe this is what falling in love is
This is a record that is somewhat light on length but brimming with quality songwriting, particularly on Pieces, Limbo, Baggy Jeans, Can't Go Back, Hates Me Yet (222), Stupid Questions and Infinity.
Pieces kicks the record up a gear with its magnetic songwriting capturing human vulnerabilities including admitting one’s own flaws and how they might relate or contribute to our current life circumstances. Another pertinent theme is self-sabotage, perhaps? After all, in addition to discussing music and games, here at ISC we actively encourage mental health discussion:
So I run from expectations...
I don't have to go nowhere
If I act too cool to care
So I just resort to humour
Then my thoughts avoid the future
I'll keep myself in pieces
Wasted potential
What You Can't Have begins simplistically with its tune, rhyme and lyrics–that is until the sharply resonant chorus kicks in to dramatically improve its appeal. I’d love to hear this one performed completely acoustic, stripped back even more:
You only want me
'Cause you want what you can't have
If you like your rock music on the lighter side, mellow and mesmerizing, peppered with a dose of feel- good vibes (despite the copious lyrics of love and loss) then look no further–The Band Camino have what you need in ‘NeverAlways’.
Limbo begins with light keys, echoing the raindrops on my roof as I write this. And what a fitting track for moments like these, as winter comes to an end here in Melbourne. Limbo is a jaunty and reflective cruisy tune highlighting the plentifully sombre occasions that a cloudy winter has provided, amid hopeful thoughts of new bloom in the coming spring. Of course, if you’re reading or listening in the USA during early September, summer will have recently ended so therein exists the contrast. Never and Always:
Meet me on the astral plane
Maybe my mind's on holiday...
Baggy Jeans is one of my top three favourites on ‘NeverAlways’, and judging by the 280k+ plays on YT Music, it's most fans favourite, and it deserves the accolades and popularity. It caters to all those who have been on the receiving end of an unexpected nonchalant breakup. For me, this would have been an emotive pop anthem circa 2010, a time when a heart-on-sleeve meant being left open to emotional devastation, picking up the pieces, albeit learning and growing from the experience:
You drop the guillotine over a coffee
Like it's nothing
Like it's a normal afternoon…
Dive right into ‘NeverAlways’ if you enjoy your indie/electro-pop/ light pop rock with catchy tunes and “how could you do this to me?” brooding sentiments. I dare say this one will rate highly among TBC’s younger audience, those yet to experience the full spectrum of love and loss. As I recall at TBC’s 2023 170 Russell show (Melb, AU), the audience comprised mostly of fresh-faced happy non-jaded faces singing along to every word on every song–on a Sunday night, nonetheless. Kudos to the joy of youth and young exuberance!
Can't Go Back hits right in the feels, a song of love and loss that flips the script on Baggy Jeans as our protagonist cathartically works through being the one to make the breakup decision and consequently deal with the emotional fallout:
I hate what I had to do...
My heart's too heavy to take you home
Hates Me Yet (222) encapsulates the overall vibe on ‘NeverAlways’ with its heartfelt reminiscing, pondering musings, soothing- loungey- poignance encapsulating modern day romance:
She laughs like she's gonna live to infinity
Her favourite artist is Dermot Kennedy
She loves to sleep on my side of bed
And I wonder if she hates me yet
Me Around You is a laid-back tune that again revisits vulnerabilities and the masks that we wear, the fears we feel, especially over revealing our true selves. This, along with Hates Me Yet (222) sums up the quintessential vibe of ‘NeverAlways’:
I talk in my sleep
Open my book and let you read every page
Darling what will you say...
If I told you who I am
Would you use it all against me
Would you still take my hand
If I gave up on pretending
Do you want me for me
Or who you want me to be...
Stupid Questions marks a return to TBC’s style that I am most familiar with, having been briefly obsessed with their self-titled 2021 sophomore album which propelled my purchase of a ticket to see them live in 2023. I was thoroughly impressed with their ability to ignite the audience with an uplifting and engaging performance:
Am I gonna melt into the mattress
Will I ever quit playing with matches
Why am I makin' angels into ashes
Stupid questions
Karaoke is a calm, reminiscing love song dedication, and songs like these are for the quiet nights, the down time, the reflection and the introspection:
It’ll always be you
Even if we’re out of time
Much like Stupid Questions, Infinity is more upbeat and uplifting, painting a poetic picture with the writing being arguably the strongest from this record. With its poetic imagery, it sets a dreamy landscape and leaves the listener with a serene sense of satisfaction:
Meditating on a mountain in the Milky Way
Has it been a single second or a hundred days...
The psilocybin and the sun on the horizon
Overall, ‘NeverAlways’ may divide listeners, especially those accustomed to TBC’s more upbeat anthemic pop rock indie grooves. Personally, TBC are far removed from the copious amounts of metal I have been assaulting my senses with during 2025. We all need some respite and pacifying, and ‘NeverAlways’ provides a great soundtrack for this very reason.
The Band Camino will be embarking on their tour of Australia during early 2026 and in between contrasting metal gigs, there is a strong possibility I will be at their Melbourne show.
3.5/5 Stars
The Band Camino 2026 NZ/AU ‘NeverAlways’ tour dates: https://www.thebandcamino.com/tour/
The Band Camino official website: https://www.thebandcamino.com/music/
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