|
|
|
BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
LOTD
|
AutoVaughn:
Self-Titled
The problem with AutoVaughn lies not in its sound and not in its image, surprisingly (four miserable-looking college kids too concerned with looking cool and not looking cool at the same time) but more or less in its songwriting. For an indie rock band, as they like to point out they are, they have exceptional production. Their eponymous debut is nice on the ears. Its just that theres nothing terribly interesting in the way of songcraft to hold on to, with exception maybe to State Line and album closer Knees Hit the Ground. Its unfortunate, because they really do sound good. Covers record, anyone? Thats not to say their debut doesnt have its moments (the guitars on Rock n Roll World, the bass on Save Me, the middle-eight on See Your Face, the drums on Falling Away), but what does that add up to, really? Its a shame that a band whose listed influences include U2, Jeff Buckley, Better than Ezra and Franz Ferdinand cant write more than one or two memorable tunes. Theres nothing catchy on this record outside of State Line. Save Me sounds like the Franz Ferdinand song they want to write but it seems too languid and short a guitar part to have real impact. Were Not Going Down would make a great song if it didnt seem stuck in neutral. It seems to be in spirit with The Killers All These Things That I Have Done, but with inferior execution (one moves, the other doesnt). Regardless, it doesnt matter if they have two or three decent songs here, because the rest of the record is just too bland and overwhelmed with a sense of sameness. This is a band short on inspiration, afraid perhaps to borrow too much from its heroes. They might want to reconsider, because theyve got some good recording equipment.
This album can be purchased at the AutoVaughn Official Website About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
