Guest post by David Schutz
Buy Here Anonymous from Amazon.
Sounds Like: They’re on the verge of an iPod commercial
RIYL: Shins, Built To Spill, Film School
A Few Words: At first glance, Eulogies' second, Here Anonymous, comes across like it’s pre-fabbed for Apple’s ad division. Driven by Peter Walker’s restrained, lilting vocals (a la Shins, Chairlift, Shins), the quartet engages for the most part in jangly, mid-tempo, middle-of-the-road indie rock. When they’re going through the motions (“This Fine Progression”, “Eyes on the Prize”), they’re predictably boring and ultimately marketable.
But sometimes they throw a wrench in the formula and things get good. “Bad Connection” is weighed down by a subtle melancholy that Walker seems bent on trying to sing his way out of. The resulting tension creates a more complicated emotional landscape than on other songs, where optimistic and dejected feelings tend to inhabit different sections, fearful of stepping on each others’ toes. “Dark Place” is a welcome mid-album respite—a great Constantines impression, compete with skronky guitar squall that threatens to drown the rest of the song out, while “Out Of Character” is a great pop piece that kicks things up a notch, tempo-wise. I could've used more of both.
But these variations combined don’t do quite enough to make Here Anonymous as engaging as, say, the last Love As Laughter joint or a good Wilco record. And Walker’s lyrics are insufficiently compelling or equipped with imagery to capture much attention, except for rare moments (“Day To Day”). It’s not much of an album, but it’s got a couple decent singles and enough harvestable parts to end a few scenes and sell a few products. I suppose that’s all you need these days
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