Loony Wuzzels

One can argue today’s music scene is a bit of disarray, what with the post teen-pop implosion of the past year leaving record companies in disarray, boggling concert ticket sales, and Canadians getting nods of best newcomers in rock. Fortunately, Minneapolis based Tapes ‘n Tapes help in the later of said three issues. Taking a page from Arcade Fire’s book, Tapes ‘n Tapes rock and do it well on their debut album The Loon.

In fact, on the ‘file under…’ mantra of music, Tapes ‘n Tapes are quite the Wuzzel. Part Pixies, the aforementioned Arcade Fire, hell even Pavement, this group doesn’t have only an identity crisis but they can pull it off like the best of them. They are every part good.

Of course, songs like Omaha and Cowbell make the band appear musically challenged in comparison to the rest of the works here. In fact, this album hits all ranges as far as listen-ability goes. Buckle stands as a staple of moderate work from someone who you know has more to offer. It’s not that it’s safe, because most of this album stays away from keeping it straight. It’s just one of those songs that you are listening to for a minute and you say to yourself, “…fuck this,” and move along knowing there is more to offer. And when they offer it up, it is great alt rock. If I sound a bit down on them, you have to hear the grand songs like, Manitoba which might as well be Arcade Fire’s Win Butler behind the mic offering the sweet sounds of sway by the band and a listening pleasure. Then you know Tapes ‘n Tapes are something special. Jakov’s Suite is a romp of a track that showcases the group’s ability to carry a tune with little to no lyrics. The wave like pleasure of strong guitar crashing into the slow melody half way into the tune makes it easily the highlight of the list. 10 Gallon Ascots gives us one of the best chorus changes on the set and a chance to scream the often times baffling lyrics behind Tapes ‘n Tapes. I mean, seriously, “…Harvard Square holds all inane, and don’t you know I’ll be your badger.” My brain hurts just from writing that.

What The Loon does in turkey day style, is bring something to the table for everyone. It might be a safer bet to take The Loon’s great set of songs not at face value, or poet hierocracy - but as the sub-radar vast rock that it is.

Sean Kendall