Post by thesoundmonitor on Jun 26, 2004 2:04:29 GMT -5
THE STATIONWAGON
The Stationwagon EP
(Independent)
Whilst Townsville fourpiece The Staionwagon have plenty of live experience and boast a repertoire of over 2 hours, their three-tracker neither excites nor bores, rather it just exists, inciting only non-committal fence-sitting.
The production, whilst poor, is not the band’s downfall. The songwriting, though relatively bland, is not the band’s biggest problem. The band’s major letdown is the lack of enthusiasm displayed in the playing. Maybe it was done as an all-nighter studio session, but as a way of demonstrating your wares, this self-titled, self-released EP goes nowhere and does nothing.
Obviously drawing from Sonic Youth, Archers of Loaf and maybe some Pavement The Stationwagon play that fuzzed out indie grunge that cardigan wearers the world over love – only they don’t do it too well.
‘That’s Me’ is perhaps the band’s finest moment with it’s urgent basslines and solid drumming, though vocalist Drew Wheway drawls like a bored, apathetic teenager with complete disregard for anyone who may be listening. The track picks up toward the end, but not enough to inspire subsequent listens.
The other two tracks follow a similar path of tired, unimaginative, indie rock, making for a tired, unimaginative, indie release.
By Warren Wheeler
www.thestationwagon.com
The Stationwagon EP
(Independent)
Whilst Townsville fourpiece The Staionwagon have plenty of live experience and boast a repertoire of over 2 hours, their three-tracker neither excites nor bores, rather it just exists, inciting only non-committal fence-sitting.
The production, whilst poor, is not the band’s downfall. The songwriting, though relatively bland, is not the band’s biggest problem. The band’s major letdown is the lack of enthusiasm displayed in the playing. Maybe it was done as an all-nighter studio session, but as a way of demonstrating your wares, this self-titled, self-released EP goes nowhere and does nothing.
Obviously drawing from Sonic Youth, Archers of Loaf and maybe some Pavement The Stationwagon play that fuzzed out indie grunge that cardigan wearers the world over love – only they don’t do it too well.
‘That’s Me’ is perhaps the band’s finest moment with it’s urgent basslines and solid drumming, though vocalist Drew Wheway drawls like a bored, apathetic teenager with complete disregard for anyone who may be listening. The track picks up toward the end, but not enough to inspire subsequent listens.
The other two tracks follow a similar path of tired, unimaginative, indie rock, making for a tired, unimaginative, indie release.
By Warren Wheeler
www.thestationwagon.com