Its not very hip to sound like this at the moment is it? Galaxie 500 meets Pavement meets Madder Rose?
Actually, I wouldn't mind at all, except it sounds like the meeting took place in a dark alley, late at night, with the bands beating the crap out of each other before limping off home to lie on the sofa, tending to their wounds and relaxing to some kind of dub/electronica crossover..
Mind you, that doesn't sound too bad either does it? And parts of this album are pretty good. But then other parts aren't. I'd say its a seriously weird album. Some of the playing is really weak, the vocals are occasionally awful, but at the same time there's tons of enthusiasm, attitude and ideas to keep you interested - but there chucked together in such a random fashion its like they're trying way too hard.. And repeating the title track twice in the first four songs smacks heavily of Concept Album it has to be said..
Singer Jane Gabriel has a voice which reminds me of someone like Madder Rose, and on songs like the opener its really great, but it can turn from sweet to sour in an instant. This is especially so when duetting with Jet Wintzer, who to be honest sounds like an angry guy with nothing too much to get angry about. And that's the trouble with the first half of the album I guess - it really doesn't grab my attention as something to care about. There are lots of moments that I like, but essentially the whole point of it is a bit lost on me.
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And then, just when you think you know what's going on, along comes the Beasties sounding rap/dub/techno stuff! Tracks eight and nine sound like they've been lifted from another album altogether, and possibly a better one.. The drumming tightens up, the vocals are better and the whole thing is a bit more coherent.
And then just as suddenely you're back where you started, with a sub-Pavement finisher..
So essentially, if you thought Gary was the best thing about the latter band and that early Hood albums were sung in tune, then maybe you'll like some bits of this album. Myself, I suspect it'll sit on the shelf and never get played again..
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