steering clear of the mainstream
since 2001

june 2010

review
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info opinion

Inouk

"Search for the Bees" CDEP

Say Hey Records

Genres: indie rock, experimental rock

Say Hey Records
111 East 14th St.
No. 229
NY, NY 10003

Sep 26 - Oct 3 2004

Inouk are pretty adamant about not being pigeonholed.  Their press sheet makes it clear that they are not interested in sounding like other bands, and they claim to be reasonably apathetic as to what is "hot" and what is "not."  This EP only contains four songs, but it supports their argument - although the tracks have a few recurring themes (glossy production, those crisp, tuneful guitars), they are all quite independent from one another, stylistically speaking.

"James Bond" is Inouk's most infectious and poppy song; at two minutes and nine seconds, it can't afford not to be.  However, it is far from familiarity - the songwriting is deliberately sporadic and unconventional, and the band's energy is channeled towards irregularity.  The resulting tune is a triumphant, entertaining romp - although it is immediately quite engaging, its true melodic value is appreciated over time.  The spacey, rolling title-track, meanwhile, is this EP's longest piece - five minutes are spent floating through a dreamy, textural world of gradual hooks and alluring atmosphere.  The other two songs, though not as immediately amazing, are also solid - "Sailor Song" is a spasmodic, jumpy rock song, while "Cherry Orchard" is the almost obligatory folk-pop finale.

Search for the Bees is an excellent primer for Inouk's already released debut album, No Danger.  Both "Cherry Orchard" and the title-track are on the full-length, but this EP is worth picking up cheap, if only for the tremendous "James Bond."

87%

Matt Shimmer

[Vitals: 4 tracks, distributed by the label, released 2004]