Beware Fashionable Women
Self-titled CD
self-released
Genre: pop, indie pop, indie rock
USA
Oct 6 2008 |
I guess "Pretty Girls Make Graves" was already taken. This
L.A.-based pop band knows its way around a melody or two, and these
ten songs give the public a taste of their potential. Several songs
seem as if they are merely a step away from being truly great - just
another melodic twist or a tighter instrumental flare could be all
that stands in the way of BFW making some
waves. Still, despite its shortcomings,
much of this disc is a joy to experience.
Boppy "Girls On Fire" is fairly exemplary: it is a sweet, summery
tune with an energetic pop-punk kick. Meanwhile, "Your Allegiance"
basks in keyboard-heavy power-pop ala Ozma and some Weezer,
while lyrically heart-warming "Courage" is the album's most polished
moment, equally influenced by The Promise Ring and more
straightforward pop music.
Of course, the highlights are just that - highlights - and this
record isn't uniformly great. For example, "Obligatory Tattoo" misses
the mark entirely, with a flat chorus that takes one listen to become
annoyed with. As well, "The Great Corrupter (Of Youth)" starts off
auspiciously enough with its blazing energy, but is quickly burned by
a lack of real content (apart
from a decent bridge.)
Meanwhile, "Rock
Bottom" is serviceable, but surprisingly bland for an album opener.
Still, this album stays afloat because the bulk of it is quite
buoyant. Even the less immediately memorable songs - Fratellis-esque
"Parade," mellow and infectious "I'll Be the DJ," unpolished but
catchy "Found" - catch the ear after a few listens.
This record is unlikely to become your favourite, but as far as
self-released debuts go, this is among the better productions.
73%
youuuuuuuutube!:
i'll be the DJ
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 10 tracks, distributed by
the
band,
released 2008] |