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This Dutch combo is back with a full-length CD of primitive, kinda-punky Casio-core indiepop, featuring super-wordy lyrics about monsters and robots and other kinds of sci-fi themed things. They have a self-professed love of Daniel Johnston, which shows through in the primitive quality of the songs and the lyrical thematic obsessions. If I had to crudely describe their sound using an "x + y" kind of formula I'd say Bis meets Slomo Rabbit Kick.
I do have a few constructive criticisms to offer, purely based on my own subjective opinions. I'd like to hear the Casios and other electronic doodads brought higher up in the mix, and I'd like it if more electronic effects were applied to the other instruments and vocals as well. This isn't just arbitrarily so it sounds cooler; these retro-tech kind of elements seem to be an important part of their aesthetic, judging from the lyrics and the packaging, so I'm surprised that their sonic presence seems relatively downplayed. Also, bandleader Thijs van den Broek's vocal delivery is kind of shy and sleepy, and it seems like he could pep it up a notch or two to match the fun, upbeat music. I like these guys, and I'm rooting for them, so these suggestions are offered out of love. (mike.02.05)
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All the way from Holland comes John Wayne Shot Me, a sweet quartet of three boys and one girl. Chances are, you might not have heard of them yet, but by golly, they've been prolific in their native land! They've done a limited edition split 7" with Grandaddy, and have opened for such copacetic faves as Daniel Johnston, Pinback and Papas Fritas!
Their second full-length album is set to be released this Spring, but in the meantime, here's a fun 7-song EP featuring a lot of fun, fun covers!
Their take on Jonathan Richman's "I'm a Little Dinosaur" is super-sweet, especially with keyboardist Marieke's pretty girlish backing vocals. The intro to their cover of Daniel Johnston's "Funeral Home" sounds like a sample of those musical greeting cards? You know the ones that you open and a tinny song plays? Very cute and clever!
The most humorous covers are of a Napalm Death song (!!!), that the band transforms into an elegant, funeral dirge with lovely layered harmonies. And then, believe it or not, they take on Destiny Child's "Survivor", transforming it from Beyonce's attitude-laden pop song into a sad, melancholic lament. By changing the lyric from "I'm a survivor" to "You're a survivor", the song takes on the sad feel of someone looking from the outside in.
It's such a delightful EP! Very quirky and charming. (janice.05.04)
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