REVIEW: Tennis // Cape Dory

Tennis is a duo made up of a husband and wife; Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore, respectively. From what I have gathered, the songs of Cape Dory were inspired by the seven months the couple spent sailing after graduating college. The spirit of Cape Dory is just as flattering as the notion and story of how the album was created. However, this album isn't as fascinating as I hoped for. That is not to say that I didn't like this record. I did, it just didn't go anywhere, which I will admit, isn't a very valid criticism.

Cape Dory is like watching an above average comedy that is constantly replayed on cable. You have seen it before or have seen other movies just like it. However, most of the time, when you having nothing better to do, which I can honestly say is most of my life, you will turn it on and actually watch the whole thing. Similar to chuckling at one of these comedies, Cape Dory will have you humming along. You may even find yourself singing along to the pleasant melodies of songs like, "Marathon," "Take Me Somewhere," and "South Carolina," just like you will occasionally laugh out loud watching one of those dumb comedies, but by the end there isn't much there. God, I know I sound like a prick saying that because obviously not everything needs to have some deeper meaning, but I am just saying that one shouldn't listen to this record and expect a deeper meaning. Cape Dory is just a fun and enjoyable listen, but that's about it.

One of the my gripes with this album is that it tries a bit to hard to sound like "50's lo-fi." This reminds me of how a mediocre comedy might try to get overly sentimental and just horribly fail at it. Most of my favorite records of all time or even of the past year I love because they expand on one solid concept/sound/timbre. This is a record that could have done that, but instead it kinda just sits on the same "note" the whole time. Luckily, this album is not long enough for me to get tired of this "note."

For what Cape Dory is, it's a good record. It just doesn't go in the directions I wanted it to. I would certainly give this record a listen, but don't expect anything more than just a fun retro style album.

RATING: 76/100

-- Greg  


Tennis -- "Marathon"


Tennis -- "South Carolina"

New Addition to FILWAD

Hello world! As I "promised" more consistency in our posts this year, I have also "promised," or will at least try my hardest, to add more additions to the site. I hope this is a decent start. My roommate here at Rutgers has followed in my footsteps and has decided to make a blog for films, reviewing films in particular. He is just as passionate for films as I am for music and is someone who has really sparked my interest in films in the past few month. If you enjoy my little shtick here at FILWAD, I think you will really enjoy his reviews. From now on, I will be posting quick blurbs and may even add a page to the site where you can read his most recent reviews.

Check out http://themovienut.blogspot.com/

-- Greg

Speaking of Portland....

 On January 21, the first episode of "Portlandia," the comedic brainchild of SNL cast member Fred Armisen and Sleater-Kinney vocalist/guitarist/NPR guest speaker Carrie Brownstein will air. In plain terms: Making fun of Portland, Oregon was never so much fun. Sketch comedy makes fun of everything from bohemian couples who ask where their chickens come from, to a pair of uber feminist bookstore employees. Although it doesn't come out until January, the first episode is on Hulu.



Armisen and Brownstein also appear in St. Vincent's video for "Laughing with a Mouth Full of Blood" as the uber feminist bookstore employees.



Let the hilarity happen

--Mike

VIDEO: Akron/Family -- "So it Goes"

These pastoral partners who now call Brooklyn their home away from home will be releasing their new album, ST: II The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT on February 8. The boys from Portland, Oregon stay true to the weirdness that ensues there; unconventional sounds, mixed with the folky aroma of a crackling bonfire lit at a commune/BBQ/house party. "So it Goes" is a fun song, enhanced with a thick, grimy guitar riff and chopped up drumming. Oh yeah, and the video is pretty cool too.



--Mike

Home...

Hello world! Its been a while and we apoligize for that, but men need a break every once in a while. However, now that we are back for good, Mike and I will strive our hardest for consistency in our posts this year. We promise (or at least will try our hardest) to have more reviews, more music news, and more golden oldies to supply you with this time around.



Robert Johnson -- "Sweet Home Chicago"
The Beatles -- "When I Get Home"
Steely Dan -- "Home At Last"
LCD Soundsystem -- "Home"


-- Greg