Gregor Barnett | Don’t Go Throwing Roses In My Grave Review

Gregor Barnett is releasing Don’t Go Throwing Roses In My Grave, the first solo record by the beloved frontman of The Menzingers. Barnett explores an electrified Americana side of his music, with yearning melodies, pushing beats, and unforgettable lyrical imaginings. The singer/songwriter tells his stories with a folkier style than in The Menzingers, but his stories are just as moving and compelling. “It was this perfect storm,” says Menzingers guitarist/co-vocalist Gregor Barnett. “The band couldn’t tour, I was going through a really difficult time, and I was stuck at home watching my family struggle with illness and death and hardship. The only thing I could do was write my way through it.” Barnett continues, “Writing’s always been my way of making sense of the world, so when I started working on these songs, I wasn’t thinking about albums or audiences or anything like that. I just needed some kind of release.” And yet, despite all the turbulence surrounding its creation, there’s something profoundly hopeful and reassuring about Don’t Go Throwing Roses In My Grave.

If you want a Menzingers-esque sound, check out “Driving Through The Night,” which is the only track that resembles those sounds. Barnett’s vocals soar on the anthemic chorus, which is a standout selection on the project. In addition, Barnett’s ability to move his singing style to other genres is impressive and shows he has skills that surpass the sound of modern punk rock.

“Talking To Your Tombstone” has an Americana feel mixed with 50’s rock-n-roll for a passionate selection that presents yet another aspect of Barnett’s voice. The breakdown in the song’s middle allows us to hear Barnett’s vocal sound and color. Subtle vocal doubling and harmonies add to phrases for impact and texture variances.

Don’t Go Throwing Roses In My Grave shows Barnett’s singing and songwriting in a new light. With an emphasis on gritty Americana guitar, driving drums, and a raw presentation of sounds. The songs on the project are not complex but depend on powerful lyrics and direct singing. “With ‘Don’t Go Throwing Roses In My Grave,’ I found myself thinking about all the times I’ve been to funerals and seen flowers laid down in memory of the deceased,” says Barnett. “It’s a beautiful way to honor the people we’ve lost, but I think a lot of times we forget to appreciate our relationships with those people while they’re still here. I wanted this song to be a celebration of life and what we have before it’s gone.” The imagery on Don’t Go Throwing Roses In My Grave is visceral, and though illness, death, and hardship are all themes; the message that lingers is that love, fond memories, and gratitude are essential emotions of life that can carry us forward past the pain.

Gregor Barnett: Website