Three Things!
1. Some albums come with no surprise. And when surprise is not an element, then some other element provides the base. The ingredients necessary to create a sense of enjoyment vary from album to album, but there are essential requirements that must be met to inspire a positive response from a listener. Critics look for these elements so they might share their opinion of an album with others without relying on esoteric or unfathomable language.
2. Believing that any given artform has a design or purpose is a common assumption that underlies most critical analysis. Thus, critics, with their assumptions, may employ something close to teleological analysis in order to determine whether that which sits or rests in front of their consciousness is worthy of praise. Let’s look to the end product to determine the merits of the thing if we know nothing of the means.
3. The album in question today is The Big Sleep's Sleep Forever. The Big Sleep are a New York City three piece with drums, guitar, and bass. They play indie-rock songs which have been compared to My Bloody Valentine, The Verve, Sonic Youth, Tristeza, Drive Like Jehu, etc.
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, I listen to the album and use the way it sounds to evaluate it, since I have never heard of the band and don’t know a got-damn thang about’em.
They play a very recognizable breed of avant-rock or indie-rock and are doing something that has been done over and over again in New York City. Rock music that alternates between periods of hardness and prettiness, with vaguely emotional lyrics and some rocking out. I find it insipid, banal, trite, cliched; these are all synonyms for suck.
Yet another rock album the world didn't need for no apparent purpose other than expressing some vision the members of the band hold in common with every other rock trio churning out avant-rock from the city with perhaps the highest per capita allotment of unoriginal rock bands in the world.
The Big Sleep chose an accurate appellation, one that suggests that, were you to attend their live show, you would have a chance to catch up on needed rest. Sleep Forever and don't waste your hard earned money on yet another rock album. I guess they're trying to sell this as some kind of good thing, and most likely will spend a little money to drum up some kind of hype surrounding their ‘amazing sound’ or their ‘unique take’ on something that makes me want to press STOP. One star offered in recognition of proficiency at instruments.
More about: The Big Sleep
