Artist: Dimestore Prophets
EP: Be Yourself
Production: Ben Smith
Studio: Synergy Productions, Seattle, Washington
Mixed: Ben Smith, Jason Shavey and Mark Trutanich 2nd Engineer: Sean Walker

Soulfully emphasizing the equally joyful and painful experiences of initially finding, and then determinedly trying to hold onto, true love in such a sympathetic and gripping way that allows people to instantly relate to those passionate feelings can be a difficult challenge for musicians. But the Moses Lake, Washington-based reggae-rock-pop band, Dimestore Prophets, effortlessly and enchantingly did just that with their latest EP, ‘Be Yourself,’ which is now available. Through the strikingly impressive vocals of singer Ray Glover, which are set against an intriguingly diverse blend of instrumentals from drummer John Wilson and bassist Eric Groff, the group successfully emphasizes the equally satisfying and agonizing journey of finding, and trying to keep, true love.

The enthralling EP starts with its title track, ‘Be Yourself in Time,’ its best and most captivating chronicle of encouraging the person you want to be with to feel comfortable enough to be themselves around you. The 1990s-infused rock song instantly draws listeners in with soothing, yet equally powerful, vocals and guitar riffs, and intriguingly maintains its motivational message of living the way you truly feel the most content. While the singer acknowledges that he doesn’t want to be rude to the person he loves, Glover also rightfully states that in order for their relationship to successfully work, they have to work on improving and accepting themselves first.

In the enthralling and emotional song ‘Our Story,’ Glover also intensely presents the all-important question of how he could continue to believe in the woman he loves when she no longer trusts him. The track is a gripping exploration of how a relationship can become stuck in the past when both people’s mistakes are continuously causing challenges, and preventing them from truly believing in each other.

The hard-rock infused ‘Draw For Love’ is another riveting entry on ‘Be Yourself,’ as the song encompasses darker lyrics and vocals that chronicle how miscommunications are making people take their relationship too seriously. Glover sings about how he would throw his pride away for the woman he loves while they’re in a fight, in order to prove to her how much he truly cares about her. While he also states he’s strong enough to fight for the other person, he’s plagued with questions about whether she’s determined enough to also commit to making the relationship work.

While the group captivatingly highlighted the emotional conflicts people often face when they’re in serious romantic relationships, Dimestore Prophets also skillfully showcased their lighter and more carefree lifestyles in several of their songs on the EP. The tracks ‘Hey Darlin’ and ‘Good Loving’ are driven with Glover’s intriguing passion and determination of getting the person who has captured his attention to give him the same consideration. While the former song has more of a reggae instrumental sound, and the latter is driven more by a Jack Johnson rock vibe, both songs encompass carefree vocals and instrumentals that support the desire to be loved by the person you have become enamored with recently.

Dimestore Prophets has once again brought its intriguingly powerful and emotionally wide range of vocal and instrumental styles to its latest music, which is mesmerizingly featured on its new EP, ‘Be Yourself.’ The band, which has played over 200 shows throughout the Pacific Northwest since 2009, and is currently touring this fall in support of their new music, fantastically drew on its musical influences to reach the hearts of its listeners. Intriguingly mixing vocal and instrumental sounds that are fascinatingly reminiscent of such musicians as Johnson, Bob Marley and Sublime, the Washington-based rock band has proved it can passionately chronicle both the joy and pain of finding, and ultimately losing, true love.

For more information on Dimestore Prophets, visit the band’s official website, as well as its Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud and Bandcamp pages. Listen to ‘Be Yourself’ in its entirety below.

Written by: Karen Benardello