"Labyrinthes"
(City Slang)
three / ten
|
|
MALAJUBE "Labyrinthes" (City Slang)
three / ten |
I can say a horde of horrible things about this album, and Malajube will never know - for they are of the French-speaking variety. I'd have no problem slagging the Quebec-rockers face to face with the aid of a translator because I genuinely think this album is a metaphorical packet of wank biscuits. But, then again, it is indie-rock afterall. Now I suppose I have to back up this slating with some actual criticisms and such jive. Did I mention its indie-rock? Jeez...
The opening track is all pianos and reverb and Bloc-Party riffage that would probably work well on a big festival stage with a sea of plebs swaying from side to side in the audience. The kind of uneducated schmucks who think Oxygen is MAD CRAIC! 'Porte Disparu' is more of an up-tempo vomit-inducing number that's too nice for its own good, and I'd be likely to headbutt anyone I ever saw dancing to it just for the sake of it.
Things "progress" in much the same manner, and the piano and vocal harmonies dominate throughout. At times, they swing a little in the Madness direction and for some reason, track 4 kind of brought Deerhunter to mind. Arah, not really. Strangely, the album is released by City Slang, which I thought would bode well for good, wholesome music - but no, instead I get this over-produced record that has a soft man singing words I don't understand in sincere, gentle tones over pop riffs that sound like a gizillion bands I heard 10 years ago.
I better explain before I wrap up this review that the severe sunburn I endured on holidays is giving me a serious dose of crankola, but regardless, this kind of pop-indie-rock is a ticket to Shitsville, CA.
John Lillis
www.malajube.com
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................