Alabama-based rock and roll outfit Rob Aldridge & the Proponents utilized a simple recipe of one part good, truthful songwriting and one part tasteful, groovy accompaniment as their guide to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump—and with just that, they dodged it by a mile. Mind Over Manners, the Props’ second album, is a twelve-song collection strong enough to break through into the ranks of fellow-Alabaman contemporaries like Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit or Alabama Shakes, and today, it’s out in its entirety. Fans can now stream or purchase Mind Over Manners at this link and read more about the album and its creation below.
More About Mind Over Manners: A lot of miles, smiles, pain, crescendos, and whispers went into making Mind Over Manners—the most prominent of which was the passing of Proponents bassist Stone Anderson in April of 2021—making its completion a bittersweet triumph, but a triumph nonetheless. It’s the kind of album that’s meant to live life to. Asked what effect he hopes his music has on people who hear it, Aldridge says, “If you find yourself in a situation where one of my songs enhances it or you can escape into it, I just want people to enjoy listening to Mind Over Manners. If they just want to turn it on quietly in the background, it's got good vibes...it adds to a room. Or if they want to crank it up and get into it, there's plenty there for them to do that.”
The Proponents recorded Mind Over Manners at Studio 144, a smokey clubhouse-like loft space in Green Hill, Alabama. Aldridge produced the album with Jay Burgess of Shoals psych-rock/power-pop band The Pollies. In addition to the Proponents’ current lineup—guitarist Rob Malone (Drive By Truckers), Nick Recio (Great Peacock) on drums, and the late Stone Anderson on bass—Burgess’ bandmate Clint Chandler contributed keyboards on “Mind Over Manners,” and the strings were courtesy of cellist Caleb Elliott and violinist Kimi Samson. Grammy-winner Gary Nichols, formerly of The Steeldrivers, contributed lyrics to the song “Devil on Sunday” and Freddie Hewitt did so on “Poor Taste.”
For more information please visit robaldridgemusic.com.
Mind Over Manners Tracklist:
Mind Over Manners
Poor Taste
Little Lou
This Time
Twisted Blanket
Beatlesque Nowhere
Want It More
Mean Grass
Explaining To Do
Devil On Sunday
Loneliest of Company
Ball of Yarn
