Interestingly fuzzy.
Scratchy production lends a sultry edge to the opening track ‘gimme what you got’ on this re-released alt rock/and roll album; bass lines dripping with fuzz, hypnotic beats and repetitive chants make it a great way to open. The album is an off kilter mix of quirky alt-rock sounds; distorted vocals and interesting lyrics with rock and roll staples of foot stomping beats and a classic keyboard sound while the bass rumbles away beneath. It’s reminiscent of old school Beck on more than one occasion and that comparison should give an insight into how eclectic the record can be and with tracks like, ‘say hello’ with its sweet little keyboard chime and spoken vocals that are very Eels like, that feeling is heightened even more.
Although “Hard Times on the Way” is a record very obviously influenced by American alt-rock the mix of American/British vocals tell a slightly different story and there is a touch of Baby Bird on some tunes, or even Oasis, but overall, the melodies and distortion are far less mainstream • ‘chelsea’s teardrops’ has quirky electronic bleeps and is so fuzzy you can only just make out the tune, ‘hardtimes on the way...’ has spoken lyrics a la Beck and sports a really catchy tune to go with them. All the tracks on the album are always just on the fringes of pop but not quite ever stepping over the border, maintaining their off kilter mystique with ease.
This feels like a classic cult album in the making • interesting and quirky but with decent tunes and beats. Varied instrumentation fuels the catchy tunes and makes them easy on the ear despite some very deep distortion. This band wears their influences very boldly and proudly but have produced an album that’s eclectic and intriguing yet very listenable.