The Uglysuit Debut Album Review
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Every once in a while a band comes along and takes an old formula, transforms simple guitars, drums, bass, and vocals into the majesty of pure difference, of actual newness. Unfortunately, The Uglysuit is not such a band. (How did these guys even get Pitchforked?) Honestly, there has got to be at least a dozen acts in this city alone (Rural Alberta Advantage, for one) who I think do greater justice to this style of music. And the style: a cross between alt-country with limited indie rock sensibilities on guitar, unremarkable bass, with simple drums, and . . . yes, vocals.
So! You’re in your early twenties, you just joined an indie band, you kind of sing but don’t really know how to manipulate your voice effectively? Just bite into a bit of Connor Oberst or drink a pint of Jeff Tweedy before lamenting away! Yes, I find Israel Hindman’s vocals annoying, not entirely ineffective within the limited boundaries of the band’s music, but a testament to its limitations, with his poor range and predictable melodies. “Chicago” is the song that has received the most press, for which the band has received its comparison to The Shins, except that James Mercer’s Beach Boys inspired voice dominate that group’s tracks and provide melodic continuity, extraordinary harmonies and countermelodies, ideas which Hindman would kill for. In a style where vocals are key, a mediocre singer can destroy the chances for making interesting music.
But at least we have the songwriting to look forward to. “And We Became Sunshine” is an attempt at epic which fails for me just around the time the band begins pounding out repetitive, unexciting, distorted chords, clearly signaling its over-the-top attempts at being “precious” within softer, break-down sections. Even in an age when repetition is tolerated and accepted I would desist from extending the marker of respect onto a song whose most interesting segment is the last three seconds, when everything slows down like an old record . . . but only perhaps because I know it’s nearing its end. (Now that I think about it, the best part of the song might have been when it accidentally drifted onto the opening madness of The Vaselines‘ “Son of a Gun” on my iTunes playlist.) “Anthem of the Arctic Birds,” meanwhile, is just plain boring, from mild piano intro to crashing chorus to crescendo finale. Folks, we’ve heard all this before.
This album is a truly hollow work of art, but let’s cut these kids a break. Needless to say, they’re young. Their myspace claims their ages as between 20 and 23, and frankly, few artists, barring maniacal geniuses, have reached their potential in any form during such formative years. I wouldn’t look out for their next album with poised anticipation, but maybe I’d laugh a little at being reminded of The Uglysuit, and give it a listen. This debut deserves no more than a 5.0 out of 10.
The Uglysuit – And We Became Sunshine
The Uglysuit – Chicago
Tags: album
The reasoning by The Uglysuit getting Pitchforked is the label they are on. Touch and Go/Quarterstick has heavier promotion, I think I got an Uglysuit e-mail but likely deleted it.
I’ve only heard about the Rural Alberta Advantage from other bloggers. You should blog about them.