From Flowers to Flies and the abstract beauty and brawn of "Not The Way You Want"

 

"I dreamed of a mountain top / you got what you wanted / a slice of paradise / better homes and gardens / someone's storybook life..."

There is a sonic, artistic open mindedness to "Not The Way You Want" by From Flowers to Flies that kind of blows my mind. Kind of like a flash card with an apple on it presented to a child learning to speak but when the card is flipped it says "love" on it, the mixture of melody, choice of instrumentation and storytelling is just as beautiful and baffling. There is also the realization that apple can perfectly mean love too. 

It's ok if I am not making sense, here but I guess I am trying to say that From Flowers to Flies' musical poetry moves in such surprising ways, that the collision of artful music and sometimes obtuse lyrics might feel like listening to a French alt pop song (I don't speak French) but that's ok because, the sense of beautiful blend of melancholia, ascending hope, flowers reaching towards the sun is wonderfully magnetic and gorgeous.

Don't ask me why but more than once while listening to this track I flashed on, thought of the iconic dance scene in 'Romy and Michele's High School Reunion'. Curious.

"Not The Way You Want" is off of From Flowers to Flies' first album, "We Built This Machine", which just dropped on January 19th, 2024.

 

The BAND:

From Flowers to Flies:
Christopher Byrum Harris (keyboards, vocals)
Faith Orozco (bass guitar)
Megan Rice (drums, vocals)
Joe Wheelock (lead vocals, guitars)

-Robb Donker Curtius 





Hello: Anyone enjoying this read and American Pancake, end of year is always a more difficult time in terms of finances. If you can help out by contributing to our Go Fund Me below it would be super appreciated. Cheers Robb

THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1CVoJB4rVR2kXi2fsTmWRj

https://www.instagram.com/fromflowerstoflies

https://www.facebook.com/fromflowerstoflies

https://fromflowerstoflies.bandcamp.com/

https://fromflowerstoflies.com/



Drawing from an eclectic mix of influences including modern indie, 70s prog, post-punk, and chamber pop, From Flowers to Flies have crafted a darkly engaging sound that is wholly their own. The band formed in California's Central Valley in 2022 out of a desire to make cathartic music that was indicative of these uncertain times. Their songs hurtle through a landscape of anxiety and apocalyptic imagery, but never stray too far from a through line of hope.

From Flowers to Flies, post punk, punk, alt rock, indie rock, garage rock, art punk, Central Valley, California, sax wielding band, heavy downbeats, "Not The Way You Want", upcoming album "We Built This Machine",