Other Men "Wake Up Swimming" (Robcore)
By Nathan Blaney
Friday. Mar 09, 1:04 AM
Why oh why couldn't this have just been a three-song EP?

Such talented musicians... why did they spend 11 songs exploring the same musical territory? They could have summed this all up nicely on a 7": that would've been perfect! See, this stuff might be very well written and performed, but that's still not substance enough to sustain a full length album... here's why: first and foremost, the over abundance of guitar "noodling.” You know what I mean: everyone's got that talented guitar player friend who, at the party, grabs the nearest acoustic and runs through an endless stream of showy arpeggios. The guy who makes you say, "Yeah, we get it. You’re talented. Fine." Got that picture in your head? Well, Other Men are a whole band comprised of those guys. Yikes... totally talented, but just don't know when to stop, you know?

The second issue I have with this album is the tempo. Ummm, boring? Let’s have some variety already! They start slow and go nowhere... There's nothing to distinguish verse, chorus, or bridge, just a whole lot of the same. They come close to mixing it up a bit on "Indiscriminate Proposals of Little Marcy," but quickly back off. And that's disappointing, cuz that one is the most interesting tune on the disc.

Now, I know that's a lot of complaining, but it doesn't mean I hated the album. Remember what I said about if this had been an EP? That would have been cool... just a little taste, and that would have been just right. I think what I'm gonna do is sandwich a tune or two between The Shins, Weezer, and Man… Or Astroman? and see how it works. I think it'll make a great mix.

Nathan Blaney

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