The Plurals

The Plurals Today, The Plurals Tomorrow: A Futurospective

Written by: TL on 02/08/2011 00:13:38

Right, it may be that Rockfreaks writers don't get paid at all, but we most especially do not get paid to sit around and do nothing. So here's another review, and unfortunately for the band at hand, Michigan trio The Plurals, the review of their ?th album is not one I have been itching to write. The band plays a grassroots level style of Dinosaur Jr.-ish 90's indie/punk, which has hardly seen the light of day in recent years, save for the efforts of Pavement's reunion shows and the latest Lemuria record.

This is not something to complain about, at least not in my mind, as I would gladly see modern bands lift Pavement's mantle, and my superficial knowledge of Dinosaur Jr. has also lead me to note them as a band I must get into, but if you ask me this record, called "The Plurals Today, The Plurals Tomorrow: A Futurospective", doesn't cast The Plurals as ones to carry the low-fi indie torch forward.

For nine songs the trio strum, drum and sing their way through songs that may well have the sound and the fuzzy feeling of DIY and 'authenticity' to them. The problem is that they don't have the stroke of songwriting genius that their inspirations had, and while they sing every bit as off tune, the effect only feels occasionally cool, and for the rest of the time it feels a little grating.

All three members contribute vocals as far as I can hear, and who has the lead plays a decisive part in how enjoyable the songs are, as Hattie Danby's subtle female delivery is okay, yet nothing special and at least one the men, either Tommy McCord or Nicholas Richard, contributes punk-rock yelling that honestly sounds too try-hard'n'roll. The remaining gentleman is the best bet for a memorable performance, as he has a hint of charisma in the role of 'the guy who sings weird, but you like to listen to him anyway'.

Songs lead by this type of vocals, such as "La La La" and "Free Burd" fare the best, and are in my opinions highlights of the record. That being said, I think the album as a whole is very much an acquired taste. If you have lusted for 90's low-fi since the movement lost momentum, then you may be able to find something to your liking, but I think that for most people, The Plurals sound like the very unromantic, realistic and occasionally even annoying noise of three friends just muckin' about in their garage. And while such a thing can result in something magic, I don't hear it happening on this record, which is a shame because from all that I can hear and read, The Plurals are a band that does it out an honest love for music. It's just that sometimes, even love and hard work are not quite enough to create something special.

Download: La La La, Free Burd, Happy Songs
For The Fans Of: Pavement, Lemuria, Dinosaur Jr.,
Listen: facebook.com/theplurals

Release Date 21.05.2011
GTG Records


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