It?s about time for the About Group album review, and also about time since my last review/entry here on Power Of Pop.
For artistes or musicians who are ambitious and often engage themselves in numerous side projects ? which, in today?s music world is oh-so-common, there is always the possible issue with sounding somewhat similar across. Alexis Taylor, lead singer of both About Group and Hot Chip, is a good example. With him fronting and providing the vocals to the group, it easily comes off as an acoustic, stripped down approach to his antics displayed in Hot Chip. And yes, that also does mean taking away the fun (beats) which is much required to accompany Taylor?s geeky voice.
Still, it is the music (hasn?t it always been?) that shines through on this album, and it is no wonder ? the instruments used are a rotating line-up of drums, organ, piano, electric guitar, Wurlitzer and electronic textures, creating a vast catalogue of sounds explored and almost combusting together. On hit single You?re No Good, the group?s cover of Harvey Averne/Terry Riley?s tune, they stretched on past the 10 minute mark, letting their creativity and inspiration show, shine and grow on the spur of the moment.
Also what is otherwise special ? or emphasized or repeated too many times (you decide) ? about this album is that it was recorded within one day at Abbey Road, Studio 2, the same recording studio made famous by The Beatles. Just a few days before the studio recording date, Taylor would only give out a CD in piano or vocal demo form to the other members of the group. The idea was not to let any one member of the band know the songs well enough to have specific parts, and to prevent them from playing something other than the first ideas that came into each of their heads and minds. In other words, improvisation ? a term commonly associated with the group.
All in all, the second album offering from About Group is not an album I will rave about, or head out to the records store in anticipation to grab a copy of; still, it?s an album I would recommend for music exploration, and possibly one that you may fall in love with over time.
[CJ]
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