There’s a raw honesty running through In the Still that refuses to be ignored. Rochester, New York trio Sipul, James “Spaz” Spaziani (vocals/guitar), Al Bellanca (bass), and Doug Folen (drums), deliver an album that wrestles with intrusive thoughts, depression, and the fragile nature of reality without ever feeling theatrical. Inspired in part by the famous internet story of a man who supposedly lived an entire alternate life while in a coma, the record imagines what it means to long for an escape from unbearable circumstances.
Recorded entirely in Bellanca’s basement studio, In the Still embraces the freedom of a self-produced project. That DIY spirit shines through in its inventive production, from unusual found sounds like rotary phones, typewriters, bells, and wood saws to an organic mix that captures the grit of every instrument. Drawing inspiration from acts as varied as Pixies, Hum, Radiohead, Modest Mouse, Primus, and Nirvana, the album blends grunge, indie rock, and post-hardcore textures while maintaining a voice distinctly its own.
Opening track “Loser’s Limp” immediately sets the emotional landscape. Gnarly, distorted guitars grind against pounding drums as Spaz’s deep, sluggish vocals sound weighed down by invisible burdens. The performance perfectly mirrors the exhaustion of battling one’s own mind, pulling listeners into the album’s uneasy atmosphere from the very first note.
Later, “Hibachi Ball” injects fresh urgency without sacrificing vulnerability. Bright, glimmering guitar lines weave around thunderous percussion while Spaz unleashes tense, soaring vocals that crackle with frustration. The contrast between melodic instrumentation and emotional volatility creates one of the record’s most gripping moments. By the time “Better Call It” arrives, the album finds a powerful emotional release. Gentle guitar strums gradually give way to bustling drums and gritty riffs, allowing the restrained opening to blossom into a passionate climax as Spaz’s voice rises from quiet resignation into aching determination.
What makes In the Still memorable isn’t simply its exploration of darkness but its refusal to surrender to it. Beneath the weight of OCD, depression, and existential uncertainty lies an unmistakable sense of perseverance. Sipul transforms deeply personal struggles into compelling alternative rock, crafting an album that feels less like a cry for help and more like the sound of someone fighting their way toward hope, one song at a time.
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Review by: Naomi Joan