Review: Aaron Stoquert

Aaron Stoquert - Remaining Days (TwinStar Media)
There simply aren’t enough albums being produced that deal with the inevitable consequences of the zombie apocalypse that, if TV, cinema and comic books are to be believed, should be here by next Thursday. I, like many others, rely on pop music to keep me informed of news events - royal weddings and divorces, celebrity diets, impending doom, etc. - so Aaron Stoquert should be applauded for keeping us all in the loop.

“Remaining Days” is the full-length follow-up to the "Run for Your Life" EP, which also dealt with the undead and their peculiar ways. It’s obviously a fascination that runs deep in Stoquert, and he eloquently puts voice to his passion. There’s no shortage of drama, tension or tunes, either. He mostly reminds me of obscure British singer-songwriter Marmaduke Dando, but listening to Gothic folk tracks like “Last Day”, “A Lock for You” and the quite disturbing “Plead No More”, there’s a definite Decemberists influence at play, together with the usual suspects like Johnny Cash, Nick Cave and, if I may be so bold, Roy Orbison.

Considering Stoquert’s unusual obsession, “Remaining Days” is not only remarkably accessible but feels utterly natural. At his core he’s a troubadour, with a mission to entertain, and much like George A. Romero and Robert Kirkman he never leaves his audience behind. It’s really very good, and if you’re partial to the ‘dark stuff’, you should investigate without delay.
http://aaronstoquert.bandcamp.com/
Rob F.