| Besides the hipster graphics and high yellow/orange color of the album art, I wasn't sure what I was
going to get from The Backslider's new full-length album "You're Welcome." They apparently have
ranging elements that encompass rock, soul, blues, and pop, but a combination of all of those sounds
might make their music a shifting Dr. Jackal/Mr. Hyde. Then again, crazy things always seem to come
from Texas, so I'll let it go this time while I check out their debut record.
Helmed by the pretty (and very raspy) voice of Kim Pendleton, I definitely started getting a Blondie
vibe from this. This carefree indie rock fest is pretty light and good natured all the way through,
like a finely cooked roast. The steady drums and guitars don't take much risk as they tread down the
beaten path but because they are catchy tunes we forgive the retreading through old terrains.
Raspy/beautiful vocals as well as lyrics that you can relate to make the words portion of this
record something to remember. And while the "combination" of all those genres I described from the
start weren't extremely evident, there were bluesy guitars and soulful vocals at points, but mostly
this is an indie/pop CD through and through. And while I enjoyed almost ever track on the album, I
couldn't knock the feeling that I had heard so much stuff like this before (yes even with a female
lead singer). It just didn't feel different than what I had heard before. Hell it didn't sound
different from stuff I had heard in the 90's.
I did enjoy it though. Every song was creatively made and presented with frothy energy, so it wasn't
a torture to hear this style again. Just be weary coming in that this is a creation that has many
obvious influences that you may have played to death. "You're Welcome" was a generally nice record
that you can pop in a few times and relive the female dominance of the Blondie days.
~ Pernell
April 26 2008 |
