Highlights: Duchess For Nothing, Serpents & Lights, Slackjawed
Tunabunny might hail
from Athens, US, and sound like fucked-up Blondie (we are of course forgetting all about Deborah Harry’s charisma for a second), but they can so easily be
mistaken for a British band. One that could have gained some cult following
back in 1986. Not surprising then that Tunabunny toured with Shrag last year,
in addition to recording a split single with them in March. Genius Fatigue is that raw indie sound,
big on sweet tunes, ringing guitars and crude feedback.
Thankfully, the sound also
happens to be incredibly addictive. Even when the band doesn’t come up with an
interesting melody and relies entirely on a lengthy, repetitive groove (the
album’s two longest tracks are also the most uneventful), they still achieve
amazing chemistry through sheer sound and attitude. I would stress, though, that the songs work best when
there’s a great melody playing in the background. I’m saying background - because
really, the whole thing is more about noisy aural delights than anything else.
Things like “Serpents & Lights” and “Slackjawed” have an almost twee
gorgeousness to them, and that actually makes the sound a lot more intriguing. Overall, I'd say that The Fall’s Cerebral Caustic would be
a good reference point.
Funnily enough, the
album is indeed half genius, half fatigue, where truly inspired moments live
side by side with what seems so ramshackle and deceptively careless. But don’t let that
fool you: the band’s playing is tight, and their undeniable confidence pays off
with every new listen.
Also, Tunabunny. Not the
greatest name in the world. Unbunny (actually, a brilliant little indie-folk band)
have been doing it for almost 20 years now, and nobody seems to care... Sad.
Back to seriousness, though: I do of course wish these guys all the best; they
certainly have the style and the chops. For the moment, it seems like an
improvement in the melody department will surely do the trick. As of now, however
cool titles like “Government Of Throats” may be, I’m going to settle for a
solid, well-deserved seven.
7/10
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