Tapes ‘n Tapes – Walk It Off

Beggars XL Recording 2008

Rating: 6/10

Tapes ‘n Tapes were one of the first bands, along with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, to be lifted out of obscurity to critical acclaim and indie fame by influential blogs such as Pitchfork Media, a trend that has only increased with the advent of such ultra-hyped bands like Vampire Weekend. Such hype has led to the accusation that bands like Tapes ‘n Tapes lack the kind of talent to maintain any sort of long-term career: Walk It Off tries desperately to dispel that notion, but only halfway succeeds.

The songs on this latest record are more easily categorized under indie rock than the grab bag of styles that marked 2006’s The Loon, and while this increased focus benefits the overall flow of the album, some of the songs tend to sound too similar.

The funky guitar line and fixed bass on “Hang Them All” imparts a sense of urgency that characterizes Walk It Off, as if the band is desperately trying to tell someone that they matter. Singer Josh Grier’s warbly vocals will either be a turn off or a pleasure depending on the listener, although on songs such as “Headshock” they make the song.

Aside from the middle of the record, which is highlighted by the tango-ish tune “Conquest” and the relaxed vibe of “Say Back Something,” most of Walk It Off suffers from the Strokes Syndrome, i.e. sounding remarkably the same throughout much of the record, that has afflicted too many guitar-rock bands in recent memory. 

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