Worried Approach

Record reviews for Saturday February.10, 2024

This newsletter is an extension of the 2022 Summer Album Guide, and will evolve to include writing about the community, the city and the world in areas other than hot vinyl and vital music. But for now consider it a gesture to continue the art of the album review, forever disappearing from our print newspapers. - Dave Bidini

The Smile

Wall of Eyes

The Smile are gloriously fine, but if you’re worried about feeling like you’ve been trapped against your will in the cinematic work of some New School Dutch or Norwegian auteur, I’d approach this with a measure of trepidation.

Future Islands

People Who Aren’t There

Future Islands are terrifically capable, but if you’re worried about feeling like you’re riding in a taxicab across Munich or Bristol or Columbus, Ohio wondering about whether the party is going to be at all boring or tiresome or so 2007, I’d approach this with a measure of reluctance. 

Monowhales 

“Hear Me Out”

Monowhale are unimpeachably tuneful, but if you’re worried about who or what your teenage progeny is looking at on the internet and why their light stays on after all of the others have been turned off, I’d approach this with a measure of (nearly impossible) adult detachment.

Lyrical Lemonade

All is Yellow

LL are outrageously stylish and tuneful, but if you’re worried about whether or not you should, in fact, buy those expensive tight-fitting spangle-cuffed cowboy jeans or simply rent-and-return them, I’d approach this with a dollop of responsible consumerism and caution-to-the-wind.

NewDad

Madra

NewDad are irrevocably retro-wave-cool, but if you’re worried about what kind of future awaits the barista in the bat-wing eyeliner with the leather arm gauntlet who yawns into your latte and, like, doesn’t even react when you clang a loonie tip into her gratuity cup, I’d approach this without your typical privilege, looking away and wondering what in the Hell ever happened to eye contact or the Jofa helmet.

Ty Segall

Three Bells

Ty Segall is unquestionably Ty Segall, but if you’re worried about whether some artists try too hard when they could just sing over and over that same song you like a lot but can’t name because you haven’t ever listened closely enough, I’d approach this like you were indeed born yesterday.

Benny the Butcher

Everybody Can’t Go

Benny the Butcher is Benny-the-Butcherest, but if you’re worried about what might happen when you step into the hallway on Saturday night not knowing what awaits on a February night when you have both too many things to do and yet not nearly enough, I’d approach this one with your collar up and boots on, not forgetting your scarf, although how cold could it get? 

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