The Locust
Safety Second, Body Last
(Ipecac Recordings, 2005)
This compact disc holds just over ten, that’s correct, ten minutes of music. Yet some how, Mike Patton and his team of savvy indie-music biz moneygrubbers have deemed this slab worthy of a ten, that’s correct, ten-dollar price tag. Now, whether or not I’m a fan of Patton and his various projects, I refuse to allow such a blatantly ridiculous occurrence to go uncommented upon. So, let’s take time out here so that I may begin a dialogue with said label boss. Ahem. Sir. I am part of the record buying populace and find the pricing of your labels latest single to be exorbitant. Firstly, the pretension of squeezing eight (or whatever the number maybe) songs onto two tracks is blindingly repulsive. Secondly, when I purchase a record by a group such as The Locust, I am not looking for minimalist electronic music (which occurs sometime during the first track), I’m solely looking for some (retardedly) short blasts of HC violence. Furthermore, Mr. Patton, while I appreciate the space noises and what occasionally sounds like Devo playing HC, I simply loose myself in the space of a seven minute screed of noise that is the first track. I can tell, sir, that the band meticulously planned out this recording, replete with videogame and cricket noises, but I simply want more for my money. You see, I have a job that pays seven dollars an hour. So I have to work 1.428 hours just to buy this record. I don’t find that quite acceptable. Please get back to me when you get a chance. Thanks again.
Soccer Team
“Volunteered” Civility & Professionalism
(Dischord Records, 2006)
Despite the general media consensus that the new Dischord sound is edgy, arty and a fresh look at indy pop, middle of the road releases have brought down labels as well established and respected. Soccer Team comes to the roster sporting a former label employee and Ryan Nelson (former Beauty Pill/Most Secret Method). This duo is able to create interesting and moody pop songs rooted in spacey ramblings. The noise and ambiance from this album is commendable, but not cohesive or admirable. The ability of a musician to create sounds that are pleasing is not the greatest task of all. The ability of a musician to create these sounds and organize them in some manner is the concept that all must strive for. The album begins with an eighties sounding subdued track which leads into something a bit more sad. The one element that this group has not as of yet figured is that the more variety in each song there is, or emotion and sound, the more gripping the listen will be. “Lobster Season” sounds like The Cramps if they didn’t have any drugs and were a bit tired. It really doesn’t get any better or worse from there. “Platonic, Unrequited, Tragic” almost reaches a point where critics may summon the word art. But swirling guitars won’t get you over forever. With a bit more sonic variation Soccer Team can and will be more interesting. But, if you want some duo style pop to pass out to, here ya go.