Patti Rothberg recently released two new albums in 2021, Pizza Box-a compilation of previously unreleased music, and a concept album, Douche. Both projects were released during the Covid-19 pandemic. The music provides her fans with wonderful song writing, instrumentation and great vocals. She is versatile as a musician and creator of fine art. She draws inspiration from a variety of sources and uses them to develop her visual and performing art.
Fans can gain an appreciation for her latest albums by exploring the music she created before them. Patti’s recent studio album, Behind Bars, was released in 2019, a short while before the global pandemic. Since venues needed to close and fans needed to adhere to social distancing policies as well as wear masks, this prevented the artist from having the ability to tour and play her songs for audiences. Although the songs were released before the pandemic, listening to them now takes on a new meaning. Over the last 14 months the world has essentially been living “behind bars” because they are not able to enjoy the freedom to participate in activities that will connect them to their favorite artists and their creations, or enjoy the simple things in life that we all take for granted. Behind Bars can be analyzed from two perspectives: a pre-pandemic view of how we sometimes find ourselves essentially “behind bars” due to the complexities of life, or observe the album’s symbolism in ways that correspond with the global pandemic.
Behind Bars will mean different things among fans because they will all have their own perspective of what each song means to them either through symbolism or realism related to the pandemic.
Behind Bars is one of the best rock albums to ever be released. From track one to 15, the album is filled with original music that includes exceptional lyrics and excellent musicianship. On this record, the artist discovered sounds that have never been heard before. The album sounds great when listening to it in its entirety, and each song is so important and creative that listeners can also explore around and discover which tracks they would like to observe because all the songs were crafted to perfection. These 15 tracks are all extraordinary rock songs that highlights the artist’s ability to create great music. There is so much to appreciate about this record: vocals singing in a variety of different melodies, the sound and clarity of the music, multiple electric guitar solos that all establish incredible layers of sound among other exceptional pieces of creativity throughout the album.
Scratch: the drum and guitar throughout the track have a very distinct sound, they are direct and function like layers. It is similar to the “stripped-down” approach that Muse and other bands use to bring emphasis to particular sounds from the instruments or vocals. The lyrics are about situations where you may need to start from scratch in life, but may be reluctant to. The song features the first of many electric guitar solos, which the instrumentation shines a spotlight on because every part of the production from the vocals to the instruments are clearly defined.
Behind Bars: the lyrics can be interpreted from a realism or symbolic perspective. It is one of the best songs on the album because it changes things up for the record. While the album starts at its own steady pace with “Scratch”, “Behind Bars” speeds things up with a more up-tempo instrumentation and vocals. It is a fun song to listen to, and because the songwriting is so good there’s a lot of lyrics to observe and analyze. It also features a second guitar solo that has a wonderful sound.
Tulips: the tempo changes to a frequency that is between “Scratch” and “Behind Bars” and there is emphasis placed on the lyrics as the artist explains about a relationship that does not need roses or violets, but instead any tulips will do. The track has great songwriting and features the third guitar solo for the album. The song sounds great and it tells a good story from beginning to end.
Predictable Surprise: is a wonderful scenario within the songwriting as it depicts the artist’s desire to become a predicable surprise after catching someone’s eye. The song writing is underscored by some innovative guitar playing. At the beginning of the verses there is electric guitar playing in a very melodic fashion, also throughout the song there is guitar present that goes along with the beat of the drums. A stellar part of the song is when the melodic guitar is being played in conjunction with the fourth guitar solo on the album; it is one of many points in the album where sounds are made that are new and have never been heard before.
Nightstand: in the songwriting, the nightstand is a central object within the lyrics used to express the artist’s feeling regarding leaving her name on his nightstand. Even though he doesn’t reach out he discovers how successful she’s become and he wishes he would have responded to what was left on his nightstand. The vocals are particularly strong and correspond with the great songwriting. The song features the fifth guitar solo that sounds great along with the melody of the song.
Meta-Sin: the first thing that comes to mind is the word “meta”, It is often found in words like “metaphysics”. The term is also used in the study of philosophy to describe theoretical phenomena. The male character is a meta-sin because he always carries the prospect of letting people down in theory, and will also continue to do so when given a second chance. The artist is essentially reading the writing on the wall that the guy probably cannot resist being a meta-sin. The term “meta-sin” is also a play on words with “medicine” which is why the artist wants to give the person a dose of his own medicine. The song has the album’s sixth guitar solo and this one has shades of Jimi Hendrix and matches the song perfectly.
Drug Me: is a song about the challenges that come when people and the healthcare system collide, causing the individual to find themselves in a situation where medication is recommend for them to use. The chorus stating “Go ahead, and drug me” has a profound impact on the song. The artist understands what to expect from the prescriber(s), and she seems ready for the challenge of any prescription they may suggest. The songwriting and performance are liberating; it encourages audiences to take on their challenges in life head on rather than running away from them. The seventh guitar solo is perfectly placed in the arrangement of the music and makes the songs sound great.
Romanticize: is the concept of molding someone into your own creation. The drums and guitars collaborate well together in this track. The eighth guitar solo is well placed within the song and sounds excellent. The songwriting is very solid on this track.
Dancing on Your Grave (Pure Evil): is an up-tempo track about releasing energy. The person that is buried is considered pure evil and is worthy of his grave to be danced upon. The songwriting describes why the deceased is deserving of this treatment. There are many different reasons, but one of the most important is with this person’s absence the artist-as a main character-experiences freedom. The ninth solo goes well with the overall production of the music.
Set in My Ways: has a smooth sound and concept within the lyrics. The song is about the artist adopting certain principles within her life that are set, and nothing can be done to change them. The lyrics has an edge to them that is appealing, particularly in the chorus that states “I’m set in my ways, so get out my way”. The sound has a steady guitar and drum combination that remains consistent throughout the track. The tenth guitar solo functions in the same way, it uses a layer of guitar to compliment the already smooth sounds of the production. The song has a great sound and good songwriting that creates a perfect foundation for the vocals.
Crumb Sandwiches: the musical foundation can be heard through guitar, bass and drums that creates a steady sound for the vocals throughout the entire track. This gives audiences the opportunity to focus on the lyrics in addition to the music. The concept of “crumb sandwiches” represents the idea of being in a relationship where one partner is perceived to throw “crumbs” rather than fully invest themselves with who they are and everything they have. The eleventh guitar solo is a perfect layer that collaborates with the musical foundation.
Punch the Clock: is my favorite song on the album. It’s an up-tempo song that explores how people live their lives. Most people do not have true freedom, they are simply living to punch the clock to earn what they need to sustain a life that they may not even enjoy. The instrumentation grabs the audience from the beginning and places emphasis on lyrics that make you wonder philosophically about how to enjoy life rather than simply being someone who does the same routine day and night.
The Brain Between Your Thighs: is an analysis of people who are similar to those expressed in the artist’s album, Douche. The lyrics show a disdain for these types of individuals, while all of the instrument’s work well together and the lyrics are emphasized. The album’s twelfth guitar solo sounds great and helps the artists assert the concepts within the vocals through excellent musicianship.
Pretentious: is a perfect song. Every production element works well with each other. The lyrics identify those who try to be more than what they are and give audiences something to think about. All of the instruments sound great together. The songwriting is off the charts, truly excellent in this track. The thirteen guitar solo sounds fantastic. From beginning to end, “Pretentious” is great all around and is produced and performed perfectly.
Sign: is a combination of guitar and vocals that places emphasis on the songwriting that describes looking for signs of love rather than the many distractions that take place in the world. In one of the verses the artists sings “no one listens to lyrics” and follows through with she will make sure that everyone hears it. The lyrics are significant in this song, and the sound of the vocals and the acoustic guitar generated a song that gives people something to think about while being a good way to finish the album.