Rating: NNN
We’ve been hearing about this “doom wop” indie supergroup featuring Islands’ Nicholas Thorburn, Man Man’s Honus Honus and Modest Mouse/Shins drummer Joe Plummer for a few years now, and the anticipation may have raised expectations too high. The combo sounds great on paper, and when it works you can hear its potential, but many songs come across as leftover tracks by the members’ main bands forced into a new format.
Part of the problem is that they didn’t commit to the original concept. There’s not enough doo-wop or doom on much of the material, and their willingness to get far too goofy with the lyrics and delivery gives the sense that they’re not taking the project seriously. Sure, the invented genre is obviously a bit tongue-in-cheek, but that doesn’t mean the band couldn’t play it a bit straighter. Still, there’s plenty to enjoy here and no awful songs. Just don’t hope for something truly awesome.
Top track: Pineapple Girl
