Album Review: Life Is Like A Waiting Room by The Carvels NYC
Alright, let’s dive into Life Is Like A Waiting Room, the 2019 release from The Carvels NYC. This rock gem’s got a little bit of everything—garage grit, punk punch, and some good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll swagger. Released under Tarbeach Records, it’s one of those albums that doesn’t try too hard to impress but ends up sticking with you anyway.
First off, gotta talk about “I Fell In Love With A Dead Boy.” Yeah, I know, wild title, right? It’s kinda like if The Ramones decided to write a love song for a zombie flick. The track kicks in with this raw, unpolished energy that feels like it was recorded live in someone’s garage (in the best way possible). You can almost picture the band sweating it out under dim lights, just going for broke. The lyrics are quirky yet oddly relatable—like, who hasn’t had a crush on something totally wrong for them? Okay, maybe not literally undead, but you get my drift. What sticks with me is how catchy it is; even after one listen, that chorus worms its way into your brain and camps out there for days.
Then there’s the title track, “Life Is Like A Waiting Room.” If you’re expecting some deep philosophical musing, well… don’t hold your breath. Instead, what you get is a gritty anthem about life’s messy in-between moments. The guitars have this crunchy vibe, like they’ve been dragged through the streets of NYC, and the vocals feel more like a conversation than a performance. There’s no sugarcoating here—it’s real, raw, and kinda cathartic. For me, this tune stands out because it’s the kind of song you blast when you’re stuck in traffic or waiting for your coffee order. It’s not trying to change the world, but man, does it capture that “stuck” feeling perfectly.
Other tracks like “Scarcity” keep the momentum rolling, mixing alternative rock vibes with a dash of punk attitude. Honestly, the whole album has this scrappy charm that makes it feel alive. It’s not perfect—some transitions feel rough around the edges—but maybe that’s the point. Sometimes imperfection hits harder than anything polished.
So yeah, Life Is Like A Waiting Room isn’t gonna win any Grammys, and honestly, I don’t think The Carvels NYC care. They made an album that feels like a late-night hangout with friends—messy, fun, and full of heart. And hey, isn’t that what rock music’s supposed to be about?
Random thought: Listening to this album makes me wanna dig out my old leather jacket and pretend I’m cool again. Guess that says something, huh?
