Saturday, February 13, 2010

Review in Reverse


The Weepies
Hideaway


Boston duo dons meek façade to defer naysay


This album’s benign, poppy folk sound is carbonated enough to offer the occasional hiccup of satisfaction, but is otherwise too timid to impress. Guitar and drums are so basic and minimal that there are in essence only vocals here worth critiquing – effectively anyway. These come across well enough on the part of Deb Talan’s waifish whimper. The weak link here is partner Steve Tannen, on whom at least three potentially passable songs are wasted. That said, avoid his incessant droning in ‘Wish I Could Forget,’ ‘Not Dead Yet’ and ‘Lighting Candles’ altogether. Even providing soft harmonies, it’s quite clear Talan should be brought and kept at the forefront indefinitely.


Whoever’s singing though, it’s only ever for two to three minutes. The group is able-bodied enough to write pretty lyrics for a few bars and then even more able to repeat them to self-satisfaction. This in turn questions whether or not the Weepies really have much to cry about. Tonally, tracks are cool and somber, but the band strives to make their heartache too palatable. This results in less than memorable, bittersweet songs that wash all too placidly over listeners. Would-be pinnacles of this album are ‘Antarctica,’ ‘Just Blue’ and ‘All This Beauty.’ These at least inject some life into things and take listeners somewhere – however literally. Overall, this album lives up to its name and shies from notice. Talan seems to affirm this herself: ‘Even the stars / Sometimes fade to gray / Even the stars / Hideaway.’ This album hides too well to be sought.


*Disclaimer: I LOVE this band/album!


7 comments:

  1. I love the alliteration you use when you wrote "waifish whimper" and the line "...the Weepies really have much to cry about." is great.

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  2. Overall, this album lives up to its name and shies from notice. Talan seems to affirm this herself: ‘Even the stars / Sometimes fade to gray / Even the stars / Hideaway.’ This album hides too well to be sought. - good close

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  3. great review. i liked the sound descriptions.

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  4. The group is able-bodied enough to write pretty lyrics for a few bars and then even ....

    I would like to see the "pretty lyrics". Just a few lines so I could know what you mean it.

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  5. i think "occasional hiccup of satisfaction" is awesome

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  6. i agree with the "occasional hiccup of satisfaction" line- it was a great way to flow into the description of the album

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  7. I like the newspaper style header... good review overall.

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