Credit: Jeff Crespi

Butterfly Garden proves that independent rock bands are still thriving in the music scene. They released their debut album “This Was Gonna Last” in January which is a testament to what they can offer and places them on the map. The group comprises Crosby Collins and Lucas Ihnat on vocals and guitar, Kieran Collins on drums, and Matt Banks on bass.

The band described their lyrics as relatable, touching on themes of awkwardness, indifference, and abandonment, with a reminder that life is a mix of pleasure and pain. The band labels themselves as an alt/indie band, but their sound is not limited to a particular genre. In fact, their music is more of a mixture of various influences resulting in a unique sound.

Credit: Jeff Crespi

The guitar harmonies and intros in songs like “Mirror to Mirror” and “Waste of Time” remind me of the math rock band American Football, with unusual time signatures and solid guitar tones. “Bradley” features a grunge element embedded within the song, adding to the band’s versatility. The band also experiments with percussion in “Tinted Windows” indicating that their sound may evolve in the future. Two acoustic songs “Little Moon” and “Virginia” add an indie flair to the album, with the latter being a stripped-down song that closes out the album.

The album’s track order showcases Butterfly Garden‘s diversity, bouncing back and forth between various sub-genres and influences, with their chemistry and musicianship on full display. It’s an excellent start for a band going for something original and different yet radio-friendly.

The album showcases the band’s diversity with their musicianship and chemistry on full display. However, it would have been interesting to see an instrumental track that highlights each member’s prowess on their respective instruments. Overall, “This Was Gonna Last” is a solid album worth checking out for any music lover looking for something original and fresh.