Reviews

Butterfly Assembly, s/t, Butterfly Assembly Music, 2023

It’s apparent from the opening bars of “People Who Love You” that Lisa and Shannon McElvaney bring experience spanning several continents and musical eras to their debut release as Butterfly Assembly. This is not because the album displays any world-music rhythms – it’s best described as indie-Americana. Rather, the duo bring an arsenal of riffs that mildly hint of singer-songwriters from other decades, while at the same time remaining uniquely theirs.

There are not many times, particularly in the 21st century, that one can use the worn-out slogan, “There are no weak tracks here,” but Butterfly Assembly deserves that accolade because the energy never flags, and intriguing riffs wrap themselves around Lisa’s rich vocals. (The hint provided of Shannon taking lead in “All My Life” will hopefully be augmented in future releases, as he provides a worthy second voice.)

The strident beats and messages delivered early in the album, in “This Black,” “Entangled,” and “Time Changes Everything,” are enough to make a skeptic wonder if the enthusiasm will lag in the second half of the album. But Butterfly Assembly delivers a second act that is perhaps the stronger punch of the album. “The Ledge” and “Volcano” are standout tracks in their own right, but they are followed by the album’s longest work, “Waitin’,” featuring a false ending and delicious harmonies.

The session musicians are an all-star cast of southern Coloradans, including Joe Johnson, Dylan Teifer, and the Bourgal brothers, Conor and Ian, who also provide production, engineering, and mixing for the album. The McElvaney's have a portfolio of more songs ready to make their way out of the studio. Listeners will be impatiently waiting, as this first album gives us plenty to love in Butterfly Assembly.

Mr. Loring Wirbel, former music reviewer for The Colorado Springs Independent newspaper (10 years); current author of Alphabetical Apocalypse blog, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA