Tapes 'N Tapes--The Loon

What band have you listened to lately that can play a country tune, ethnic ballads, blues, swing, ska, and mimic Sonic Youth, Band of Horses, and Franz Ferdinand? Sounds like a hefty load, and Tapes ‘N Tapes album "The Loon" is at first listen. By all fair reasons the collection of tunes should fall apart under the pressure of the diversity of styles, yet after a few listens its plain that Tapes ‘N Tapes comes through a winner.

Tapes ‘N Tapes does a decent job of the straight-ahead indie style in songs like "Just Drums." These songs are bouncy and fast paced, and are predominately drum pieces, which is a common theme in their music. Tempos and rhythms are switched back and forth between choruses and verses, and the all-together effect is one of a quieter and somber Franz Ferdinand. In other songs such as "Manitoba" Tapes ‘N Tapes edges in on soft rock territory conquered by Band of Horses, but manages to maintain their own uniqueness by ending the song with a percussion centered solo that speeds ever faster.

From there things get odd. Ethnic songs and extra instruments are added in "The Illiad" which puts an interesting and different twist on their old game of tempo changes and drum centered melodies. "Insistor" sounds like chase music from a hillbilly flick, yet has impressive lyrics: "So I / Stay here / And fight for lover’s right." Again, as always, the song falls back to quick-paced drums. "Crazy Eights" and "In Houston" edge in on blues and swing styles, while staying indie by throwing in nonsensical guitar solos in the essence of Sonic Youth. Again, odd instruments like chimes are added, and "In Houston" almost loses all instrumentals at one point for pure lyrical nonsense.

Tapes ‘N Tapes is certainly unique. Some of their songs may stick out like a soar thumb, but in a music world filled with covers and copies and thinly-masked reruns, maybe that’s a good thing. Tapes ‘N Tapes does incorporate odd styles of playing in on common indie trends, and that experimentation does deserve recommendation.

(Published at ComfortComes.com)