Search - Tapes 'N Tapes :: The Loon

Do you believe the hype?

KB | Lawrence, KS | 08/22/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Anthemic and cavernous guitar rock from the uber-indie Tapes 'n' Tapes. Nothing terribly original, here. Heavily informed by the likes of British Sea Power, the Arcade Fire, Spoon, the Walkmen, Interpol, and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Tapes 'n' Tapes craft tastefully angular and unobtrusively moody toe tapping tunes that are equal parts melodic and energetic. Kind of generic and more than a little derivative, the Loon is nevertheless a decently listenable record, and sure to make every indie kid jump for joy.



For what it's worth, I hated it.



"

Not too bad

Bill Frist | I am omnipresent | 08/15/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A three and a half star review would be more apropos. I heard about these guys through a local station here (near Minneapolis) when they were emerging on the local scene and thought they had a certain flavor. "Jakov's Sweet" introduced me to the band, a dynamic, bombastic track that ultimately is one incongruous piece in a very incongruous puzzle, namely The Loon. Pavement are the obvious precursors, but The Pixies are also evident throughout. The band has a knack for fun, clever guitar lines and a good deal of interesting accoutrements that one looks for in an indie recording, and I became especially drawn at times to the various basslines, sometimes hidden deep in the mix but nonetheless an active part of the album.

First and foremost, the band is ostensibly having fun, which is the cardinal rule in creating good left-field music, but they have a long way to go before they can usurp attention from indie mainstays like Clap Your Hands, Wolf Parade, etc. At the very least they might help elucidate the fact that Minnesota has a great deal to offer in terms of straightforward garage and indie acts."