For the first time this semester I have been forced to change the style of my article. This was not intended, and definitely not voluntary, but it would be a disservice to review this band track by track. The band in question being Tapes ‘n Tapes and the feeling being a disgust for everything they have made me do.

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While I am agitated that they have forced me to change my format I am not agitated with the album as a whole. There are a number of tracks that would have received golden reviews from yours truly, but the album as a whole is so much better than just one song can hold. Tapes ‘n Tapes have done what the modern world has been driving out of existence:  a true full album. An album that has songs pieced together so brilliantly that the option of playing them randomly is an insult.

The album rushes you in with “Just Drums”. The rhythm changes from very upbeat to subdued back to a finale of gutsy gung-ho rock. The rollercoaster of sensation takes another plunge to the slower, passive “Iliad”. It is the most lyrically impressive song of the album with imagery such as, “Will you love me like a sailor / Who loves the seven seas / And when my bones get older / Will you drag me to my knees / Like a drunken pirate shipwreck / On the golden caskets won”.

“The Iliad” is followed by “Insistor”, which has the greatest chance of being commercially successful with all of the ingredients for radio play (not too long, over-repeating catchy chorus, etc.). They incorporate the song well enough into the overall album and it is probably one of their best songs when played on it’s own.

The brightest point in the whole album happens halfway through. “Manitoba” is the albums’ indie rock ballad. Slowly building apprehension, it ends with “Tapes” (apparently the lead singer) exclaiming “Beats!”. His request is met with a very bass driven, rocking end to the ballad. This would normally not fit, but since “Cowbell” follows directly afterward it fits perfectly. Too perfectly. The beginning to “Cowbell” is an innovative bass line that starts off the albums best track. It probably wouldn’t be the best track without everything leading up to it, which is what makes it what it is.

Okay, before my man crush gets too out of hand there were a few faults to the album. The lead singers frail voice fits most of their songs, the whispering vocals of “In Houston” really doesn’t. Overall, Tapes ‘n Tapes put out one of the best full rock albums of 2006 so far, but the year is hardly over.

HOLLENCOMIUM REVIEW PODCAST 

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