Pseudo-genre or not, "new weird America" has become an effective means to quickly describe a still growing number of artists. In a recent Dusted Magazine review, Emerson Dameron declared the Skygreen Leopards' latest EP to mark the death of "new weird America." This sounded more like the words of a bitter naysayer seeking vindication than any true reflection of the state of the movement. In any case, it surely wasn't the mark of a chronological end, as First Nation set out to prove on their self-titled debut for Paw Tracks — a label practically predicated upon the viability of N.W.A.
There's a difference between primitivism for primitivism's sake, and a utilization of primitivism that skillfully evokes a visceral response. Frankly, First Nation don't demonstrate the ability — or, furthermore, the desire — to achieve anything that might last. This material approaches noodling at its most contemptible: if this kind of stuff isn't your thing, then this album really isn't your thing. Electric guitar, bass, drums, and the occasional flute trickle aimlessly around each other, hinting at Middle Eastern themes in their more lucid moments. Above this, intentionally amateur female vocals quaver and chant, sometimes wordlessly, sometimes about water and monkeys. Consider the lyric "You put me in a female trance/ I love the heart of your romance/ Lead us to where the ghosts dance," and you'll start to understand what they have in mind here.
This brand of experimentalism is shallow, even a bit exploitative, casually riding the coattails of the Animal Collective phenomenon. Where that band are jubilant and refreshing, First Nation come across as dispassionate and arbitrary — they don't even appear to be having any fun. I suppose this is being cast as "challenging," but succeeds in none of the ways of which challenging music is capable. In fact, there are several obvious moments in which they drop their half-hearted agenda of innovative abstraction and come together for some lovely, gripping little vocal melodies. Choosing to play against strengths like these for the sake of characteristic relevance won't get them anywhere.
1. Awakes
2. Creation (Exquisite)
3. Female Trance
4. Monkey
5. Omen
6. Swells
7. Cave Jam
8. You Can Be
9. Child's Eyes
10. Waterfall 1. Awakes
2. Creation (Exquisite)
3. Female Trance
4. Monkey
5. Omen
6. Swells
7. Cave Jam
8. You Can Be
9. Child's Eyes
10. Waterfall
More about: First Nation
