(Cover photo via NPR)

Music is about happy accidents. There are times when you find something brilliant when you weren’t even looking for it.

Such was the case when I made my way to Lincoln Hall in Chicago to check out Bent Knee, one of my favorite bands. I have written many words about them in the past. They were the middle act of a triple bill and they never fail to to put on a terrific show. This night was no exception.

A post-rock oriented band called Gates opened the show. They were quite brilliant. And as I said, Bent Knee was also fantastic. I could’ve left them and there and been content. But Gavin Wallace-Ailsworth, Bent Knee’s drummer, told me that I should stick around for the headliner. “You won’t be disappointed,” he said enthusiastically. I’m not one to ignore advice given by my favorite musicians. So, I stuck around.

It was then that I was introduced to a band with the longest name I can ever recall hearing: The World Is A Beautiful Place And I Am No Longer Afraid To Die. (You’ll pardon me if I use an abbreviation from this point forward.) And man, was Gavin ever right!

What I heard from this Philadelphia-based band sent me through nearly the entire emotional gamut. I felt joy. I felt sorrow. I banged my head. I welled up with tears. What the hell is going on here, I asked myself.

One thing is certain: I had a new Top 10 favorite band. Maybe even Top Five. Whatever … I just flat-out loved them!

The first thing I loved was that the music couldn’t be easily categorized. I’ve seen it broken down to just Emo, but that’s an oversimplification. I heard Pop, Indie, Progressive Rock, and maybe a touch of Metal. They were beautifully centered, even while being all over the place!

Secondly, I was taken aback by how many people were on the stage. TWIABP has eight members, and each of them plays a vital role. David F. Bellow handles the primary male voice, while Katie Dvorak handles the female role. The band was touring behind an album called Illusory Walls, and I was prepared to move heaven and earth to get a copy. Or just go to the merch table. That was much easier.

https://youtu.be/s-V10ijYGc0?si=jm1qzFEA6DspLO-W

I was fascinated by the polyrhythmic guitars, synthesizers that occupied the empty spaces, the raw (and sometimes distorted) bass tones, and the rock-steady drums.

The songs were tightly arranged and every band member was on top of his/her part. Nothing was wasted. The melodies and harmonies soared. I was having the musical time of my life. It wasn’t hard to hear the Emo, Pop, Indie, and Metal. So, where did prog rock come into play?

Have you ever heard a 20-minute indie tune? Neither had I! It there it was. It’s called “Fewer Afraid.” And it. Is. Awesome!

https://youtu.be/jncewl2fUHs?si=B9UcPW6zohwEt62Q

This tune closes at Illusory Walls. “Infinite Josh,” the tune before “Fewer …” clocks in at a scant 15 1/2 minutes. It’s good to know these guys aren’t afraid of fully expressing themselves.

It’s hard for me to get anything done while I listen to TWIABP. Illusory Walls is playing as I write these words, and it’s all I can do not to stop and start bobbing my head.

The band released a live album, Thank You For Being Here,” and three singles before releasing a new album called Dreams of Being Dust earlier this month. And now I have something new to obsess over.

I can’t wait to dive in. Let’s do it together, shall we? Like Gavin told me, you won’t be disappointed.

Always take the advice of a musician.

#cirdecongs

If you would like to have your music reviewed anytime or have your band photographed while in Chicago, please contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com