For years the frozen tundra of Minnesota has been a hotbed for musical talent. Some of the greatest artists of all-time can trace their origins to practices in frigid garages. The Replacements, Husker Du, and Prince are among them.Lately there has been a resurgence in the Twin Cities. First, it was the irresistably cool rock of The Hold Steady. Now Tapes N' Tapes can be added to that list.
Walk It Off, their second album, has the band wearing their influences on their sleeve. The album's lead off track "Le Ruse" sounds like it could've been penned and sung by Husker Du's Grant Hart. While the jangle pop of "Conquest" could easily be mistaken for latter day 'Mats.
While Tapes N' Tapes influences are obvious, the band doesn't merely micmic their heroes. Instead they have an ability to synthesis their various inputs into a sounds that is familiar, yet uniquely their own.
If I was forced to give a generalized description of the Tapes N' Tapes sound I would have to say it's like the angular indie rock of Modest Mouse awash in Mudhoney-style fuzz bass thump. It's the good side of the evolution of '90s alternative rock (Nickelback being an example of the bad side).
Walk It Off is definitely an early contender to make my Top 10 albums of 2008.
4 out of 5 stars.
You can check out a sampling of Walk It Off, including the infectious single "Hang Them All" at:
www.myspace.com/tapesntapesTracklisting for Walk It Off
- Le Ruse
- Time Of Songs
- Hang Them All
- Headshock
- Conquest
- Say Back Something
- Demon Apple
- Blunt
- George Michael
- Anvil
- Lines
- The Dirty Dirty
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