Baby Walrus – Baby Walrus
This record is all over the place – not entirely in a bad way, but it can be a little disconcerting at times. The pace and rhythm stop and start, and songs lurch off into new territory half way through, and in general the whole thing can come across as a direct challenge to the listener to not like it. That’s unlikely to be what you end up doing though because, as it crashes about, this record staggers through some marvellous moments that are easily enough to talk you into giving it the extra time it both needs and deserves.
There are hints of Man Man in some of the more unhinged moments, but not all that much. It can also be a little like early Modest Mouse and I can definitely hear some of Tom Waits’ more barmy moments here and there as well.
It’s too experimental to be excessively like any of these bands though. There are times when the songs themselves seem to grind to a halt, but there is a lot of great stuff on this album if you are prepared to give time and attention to a somewhat recalcitrant record that doesn’t necessarily surrender its goodies after half a glass of red wine and some lazy compliments.
Baby Walrus – Airplane Shuttle Blues
Baby Walrus – Some Dawns No Bird Will Sing
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