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BANDS: Punk
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Born With a Tail: The Gravest Suspicion
Instrumental rock is a good idea. Most people I meet dont seem to have much to say, much less the ability to express their thoughts in rhyming couplets and fit them to music in a way that enhances presentation. Sometimes its better just to rock the fuck out and let the chaos speak for itself. My theory is proven by this fantastic new album by Born With a Tail. The music is pop punk like its supposed to be played; that is, by the smart dorky kids instead of the popular jocks. But theyre also the strong, silent type: of the 16 songs, only three have vocals, one of which consists solely of the enigmatic proclamation, I heart kilts! The other vocal tracks are weak; the singing is screamy-shouty bleating, and the lyrics fail to express much, making the band sound like (gulp) the Get-Up Kids. In fact, more is communicated by the instrumental songs: a depleted attention span, a sense of tension and release, and a slightly warped melodic sensibility (dont worry, dudes, I mean that as a compliment). They remind me of early- to mid-period Superchunk without the vocals, which, depending on your taste for castrati, could be an improvement.
A lot of indie instrumental rock is structurally complicated,
intellectualized, and focused on technical ability, but since this is
contradictory to the punk/indie aesthetic, it attains an ironic tinge, a wink
and a nod to say, Yeah, Im playing this incredibly difficult solo, but its
just a joke, so its ok for you to like it. But although Born With a Tail are
obviously competent on their instruments, they never sacrifice a song to
pointless wankery. Since they dont have to filter what theyre trying to say
through facetiousness, its easier to take them seriously and connect with the
songs emotionally (though it doesnt help that they have a song called Strom
Thurmonds New Years Rockin Eve). At the same time, Born With a Tail seem
like a group of very upbeat dudes. You dont really come across that much music
that can be happy without being sappy or smug. Theres a natural exuberance to
the album, especially in the core trio of Sarsaparilla, Robert Elliot Burns,
and A Radio Picture. The first features a Pixies-ish oscillating riff, the
second climaxes with guitar noise and UFOs, and the third ends with heavy
stop-start chordation (yeah, I can invent words), and its all just so much
fun. They should just go nuts like that more often. Some of the songs lack
cohesion and consistency, and the playing isnt always completely tight, but
whos going to say that they hate something so fun? Not me.
This album can be purchased at CD Baby LEFT OFF THE DIAL's Born With a Tail page About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
