This is a story “about what happens when a girl rips her world apart then puts it all back together”.
Looking down at the notebook in front of me one word stands out in bright red pen, and that word is brave. It is brave because the entire album is based on front woman (vocalist and guitarist) Emma Cameron’s emotional rollercoaster of a relationship breakup. There is a reason the album is called The Truth And Other People, it touches on the subject of falling in love with someone else and the effect it has on your life. On their lives. This album describes how it may feel when your life crumbles around you and you have no choice but to pick up the pieces, it is a chronicle from breakup to acceptance. Ten tracks of refreshingly honest lyrics largely written by the bands guitarist Liam Muir describing Emma’s Un triangle amoureux.
Simply put this is an outstanding album, it doesn’t pull any punches and it doesn’t sugar coat the facts. The album art may give you a clue about what lies beneath. When your whole world ends up in flames, a new beginning will emerge from the ashes.
I respect that it must have been hard to write and even harder to share with the world, I also respect the that entire band Liam, Dan and Curtis are involved in telling Emma’s story and boy the instrumental’s really drive it home. There has been some trepidation about releasing this album due to the content it covers. Emma admitted she is highly critical of her work, to the point of sabotaging what the band is doing, however I believe those fears may have been laid to rest judging from the response to The Truth And Other People and the rather large, and ever growing fan base. This honest, upfront version of Emma’s journey is just what the people want to hear.
The first track is Terrified, it is a powerful start to the controversial story line, what is to follow on from that is ten tracks of fast paced rock each song adding to the narrative. The beat is heavy and catchy at the same time and there is no room for mushy sentimentality. This album has a depth and soul which each member of Decades infuses into the music individually. My favourite track is the last one If It Kills Me, it is defiant and loud, and at the risk of repeating myself, it needs to be turned up to full volume to get the full effect of the big sound.
This may be an album about a relationship demise, new love and emotions but don’t let that fool you, it is pure rock, nothing soppy, sad or miserable about it. This is the stuff that makes you want to get up and dance, this is music your neighbours have no choice in appreciating as you can’t help but crank it up full noise, this is the soundtrack to road trips and no doubt a few of these songs will become summer anthems. In my opinion, this is exceptional NZ rock.
Decades have a fresh approach to music which has connected with people on a whole different level. They have made their mark and don’t look like slowing down anytime soon.And I shall amend my original description of brave, the entire band has supported and told their good friend’s story through music, so perhaps determined, strong, courageous and triumphant are better words. Bloody brilliant are two more.
The band spent five weeks in Melbourne on pre-production, recording and mixing The Truth And Other People with Tom Larkin (Shihad, Villiany) at his studio in Melbourne. They have just kicked off a nationwide tour to follow on from the release of their album.
So as a final word, Cameron has been quoted as saying that Decades’ debut album is a rejection of all that “what a woman should be, should do” stuff, it is unapologetic and real and may piss some people off. But like the lady said, just deal with it.
Formerly known as Ashei, there are a myriad of ways to describe NZ rock outfit, Decades, but one word that really summarises their so-far 5 year journey in sharing their music is simply: determination. Bursting on to the scene in 2009 led by a unique female voice that reaches both the gritty angst and delicate reservedness of the vocal spectrum, Decades have shown they are an independent Kiwi rock band to really watch with their shared passion for intense live performance and honest song writing.
Members Emma Cameron (vox/guitar), Liam Muir (guitar), Daniel Perry (drums) and Curtis Booth (bass) have spent the last several years focussing on honing in on their unique sound, independently releasing a scattering of singles and music videos to varying levels of local success, playing as many local shows as they could muster around their full-time day jobs, and supporting larger national and international acts such as Midnight Youth (NZ), Villainy (NZ), The Ataris (US), and Scary Kids Scaring Kids (US).
In 2013, Decades knew they were at a point of ‘go big or go home’, and so they began to envision what the next couple of years should look like, and how they were going to reach these milestones. Early 2013 saw Decades lock in with producer Matt Bartlem of Loose Stones Studios in QLD to create their debut record. Faced with the many obstacles of an independent band, the band launched - and achieved - a $10,000USD indiegogo crowd funding campaign in mid-2013, to head over to the studio in Australia to complete a 5-track EP.