The Speed of Sound – The Same River

The Speed of Sound’s “The Same River” is a combination of nostalgia and present post-punk strength. Right from the start, the post-punk guitars provide a raw, dynamic background with crushing riffs that drive the tune forward. The guitars are representative of old-fashioned post-punk musicians, but with a modern edge that prevents the sound from looking old. When the vocals show up, they provide an ethereal tone that benefits the tune. The female vocalist’s voice is mysterious, and her performance shows an obvious Grace Slick influence, borrowing from the renowned San Francisco psychedelic era while redefining it within a post-punk framework. Her voice rises over the strong, musical background, providing an astonishing contrast between the post-punk music and the ethereal vocals. The semi-psychedelic style of the vocals, with their dreamy aspect, brings up pictures of dreamy scenes, nevertheless the post-punk basis keeps the song firmly grounded. This contrast, the clash of psychedelia with punk vibe, creates a fascinating energy throughout the song. The tune has a striking similarity to The Cranberries in terms of powerful melodic lines combined with a harsher edge. The combination of influences—psychedelia, post-punk, and alternative rock—creates a sound that seems familiar and warm, providing a one-of-a-kind listening experience.