Typewash

"Beekey" CDR

4boxs

Genres: jazz-rock, metal

Dec 1 - 7 2003

The label likes to think of Typewash as "the world's only trombone-led freak/metal band."  What a gimmick -- although it's not entirely true.  Typewash are far from metal - they're more like a jazz-influenced rock band, combining rock concepts with jazz rhythms and a funky, jumpy exterior.

Typewash's debut album, Beekey, starts off on a good note.  "Clobberin' Time" is the closest this album gets to hard rock; its funky attitude and jazz-like rhythm give it a sound not unlike that of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and the fuzzed-out vocals only further add to this notion.  "Love Song," meanwhile, is a groovy, boppy piece of dark comedy that just bleeds morality and good taste. 

Overall, this is an interesting and fun album, but it also drags a bit at times, and isn't as melodic as one would expect.  A song like "Clobberin' Time" makes for good listening (it must be awesome live), but I'd prefer a disc that's consistently fantastic.  Nonetheless, I'm sure this won't be the last time I listen to Beekey; there's something about Typewash that just begs to be heard.

82%

Matt Shimmer

[Vitals: 8 tracks, distributed by the label, released 2002]