Emotionalpunk.com
Media Review
Music Quality: 9.0
Production: 8.0
Originality: 10.0
Tracklisting
2. You Put The I In Team
3. Dirty Scandalous, Dirty
4. Claims Should Echo
5. Gunpowder: A Ballet
6. The Party's Opinion
7. Tracey's Buns
8. To Feel Cozy Surrounded By Cats
9. Baton Rouge
10. Minds Like Ours
11. Pepper
Quietly and without much mention, Dr. Manhattan released their debut on Vagrant Records, vastly contrasting their nutty energy and original nature. The band, which it might be detracted is comprised of several new wave indie hipsters, seems barely able to take themselves or anything seriously. A rambling bio that, while hilarious, makes almost no sense at all ironically makes all the sense in the world: this band just doesn’t give a shit. And I love it.
Dr. Manhattan’s casual discontent for the typical is refreshing. Their style? Bounded by nothing but the loose confines of “indie rock.” In fact, when trying to write a review describing this release, the only phrase I can put to mind is that it’s energetic as all hell. It’s like two cougars got in a fight and ripped each other to shreds while dancing in their underwear. At least that’s how I imagine the band would describe it, maybe. I’m just not weird enough.
The first track, “Big Chomper, Big Chomper,” originally released on a 3-song EP called “Are You Bald?” might best reveal the band’s sound. It’s angular, energetic, unconventional—it’s really weird and makes no sense. There’s pop hooks, but it’s not poppy; there’s a lot of synth work, but it’s not synthy. I think the subtleties of the direct styles (heavy rock, catchy pop, and dancey nu wave) are what makes the band’s style unfounded and distinctly unique. Some of the songs are blatantly poppy and catchy (see: “Gunpowder: A Ballet”) while others encourage big dance floors (“The Party’s Opinion”). Even still, at moments it’s quiet and almost somber (“Baton Rouge”).
It might sound like this record is all over the place—and it is. I think that’s what makes it such an intense listen; the band is clearly comfortable playing a wide range of styles. Regardless, however, all of the songs on this album have a consistent backbone of energy, only matched by their unique, innovative style. I found this record immediately refreshing, and still consider it to be one of the most different, strange releases out this year so far.