Two Stars for The Wrens and Four for The Five Mod Four
Brian E. Spitz | NY/NJ | 01/18/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Indie rock vets The Wrens, and up-and-comers The Five Mod Four on an EP together? Sounds like a good cross-promotional idea. Unfortunately the young lions seem to have outdone their elder statesmen.
The most interesting of the Wrens' bunch is 45'er, as it contains some samples of "Happy" which would soon be heard in its full, majestic form on THE MEADOWLANDS. "Bus Dance," and, "Was There Ever," sound like b-sides from ABBOTT 1135 and SILVER, respectively. That's not to say they're bad songs, but they're just not as good as we've come to expect from The Wrens, that's all.
On the other hand, all four Five Mod Four tracks are great. "I'm the Finniest Person You Know," is probably the best track on the CD while "Make it Look Like a Robbery" is pure Elvis Costello-influenced pop (just as the Amazon description states).
At the end of the day, in spite of The Wrens' so-so tracks, this EP is worth it for Wrens completists or those looking to get into a very interesting new band. Ten bucks well-spent."