Routine Maintenance (album)

Routine Maintenance is the second full-length studio album by American folk rock project Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties. Released on May 10, 2019 via Hopeless Records, the album follows the concept begun with We Don't Have Each Other (2014).

Routine Maintenance
Studio album by Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties
Released	May 10, 2019 (2019-05-10)
Recorded	2018–2019
Genre	Folk rock, indie rock, emo
Length	35:27
Label	Hopeless Records, Loneliest Place On Earth
Producer	Ace Enders
Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties chronology
Orchard Park (2017) Routine Maintenance (2019) In Lieu of Flowers (2024)
Singles from Routine Maintenance
"Runnin' Toward the Light[1]" Released: March 28, 2019 "Just Sign the Papers[2]" Released: April 17, 2019 "Bury Me Anywhere Else[3]" Released: May 6, 2019

Background

In March 2019, Dan Campbell announced two Aaron West tours, as well as a new album. The announcement was accompanied by a brief teaser video, using home movie footage and instrumental music.^[4] Later that month, the project released a music video for the album's first single, "Runnin' Toward the Light."^[1] Two more singles, "Just Sign the Papers"^[2] and "Bury Me Anywhere Else,"^[3] were released in advance of the full album's debut on May 10, 2019.

In an interview with Rock Sound, Campbell said, "There is a redemption arc built into this album. I really wanted to focus on Aaron growing as a person and understanding how to better cope with tragedy instead of just shutting down and being self-destructive and self-absorbed and self-obsessed."^[5]

Reception

Routine Maintenance was released to critical acclaim. Sputnikmusic staffer Channing Freeman rated the album as 4.5 out of 5, declaring it "[m]ore than a side project and much more than a story."

Two Dead Press reviewers shortlisted the album for their list of the top ten albums of 2019.^[6]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Sputnikmusic	[7]
The Soundboard	8/10[8]
Already Heard	[9]
DEAD PRESS!	[10]
The Alternative	Phenomenal[11]
obsessxns	8.7/10[12]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Lead Paint & Salt Air"	3:58
2.	"Just Sign The Papers"	3:41
3.	"Bloodied Up in a Bar Fight"	4:07
4.	"Bury Me Anywhere Else"	3:01
5.	"Rosa & Reseda"	3:34
6.	"Wildflower Honey"	2:50
7.	"Runnin' Toward The Light"	3:01
8.	"God & The Billboards"	4:13
9.	"Winter Coats"	3:18
10.	"Routine Maintenance"	3:44
Total length:		35:27

Credits and personnel

Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties Dan "Soupy" Campbell – vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica Additional personnel Ace Enders – double bass, guitar, keyboards, banjo, lap steel guitar, additional vocals John Becker – guitar Nick Steinborn – drums Gabe Valle – violin Nate Sander – viola Kristine Kruta – cello Juan Lopez – trumpet Chiemena E. Ukazim – saxophone Dom Maggi, Joe Marro, Ryan Pinkowitz, Emma Wuillermin, Robin Wuillermin – additional vocals

Production Ace Enders – producer, engineer, mixing Nik Bruzzese, Dom Maggi – additional engineering Alan Douches – mastering Joe Marro, Lesser Matters – management

References

1. Redrup, Zach (March 29, 2019). "NEWS: Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties drop video for 'Runnin' Toward The Light'!". Dead Press!. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
2. LaPlante, Brad (April 17, 2019). "Listen To A New Aaron West Song, "Just Sign The Papers"". Substream Magazine. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
3. "9 New Songs Out Today". BrooklynVegan. May 6, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
4. Sacher, Andrew (March 18, 2019). "Aaron West & the Roaring Twenties announce new album & tour". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
5. Rogers, Jack (May 10, 2019). "Dan Campbell On The Aaron West Narrative: "There Is a Redemption Arc Built Into This Album"". Rock Sound. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
6. Redrup, Zach (December 27, 2019). "Top 10 Albums of 2019!". Dead Press!. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
7. "Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties – Routine Maintenance". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
8. "ALBUM REVIEW: 'Routine Maintenance' by Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties – The Soundboard". The Soundboard. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
9. "Album Review: Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties – Routine Maintenance". Already Heard. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
10. "ALBUM REVIEW: Aaron West & The Roaring Twenties – Routine Maintenance". DEAD PRESS!. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
11. "Album Review: Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties — 'Routine Maintenance'". The Alternative. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
12. "Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties: 'Routine Maintenance' Album Review". obsessxns. Retrieved October 11, 2019.