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] |