Morningwood are from New York. Lately, it seems, the New York rock scene has been resplendent with some excellent and intriguing new rock bands, such as the Strokes, Interpol, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Morningwood sound nothing like any of those bands, although they do share the Strokes’ penchant for some fun-loving tunes. Morningwood’s debut is chock full of pseudo pop-metal party anthems. In short, it’s the perfect soundtrack for people who don’t have the patience to listen to the post-punk desolation of Interpol or the art-punk experimentation favored by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Morningwood deliver straight-up balls-to-the-wall party rock, sharp fuzzy guitar effects, et al.
Chantal Claret, Morningwood’s voice, has some chops. She’s got a ferocious delivery; chock full of sass, which does most of these songs well. Unfortunately, the album itself doesn’t hold up to repeated listens. As a party record, it’s got a few standout tracks that are catchy enough to get in your head. However, listening to the album all the way through begins to feel like a chore by the time you get halfway through it. The problem with party albums is that there’s hardly any variation in tone. Pretty much every song, when it boils down to it, is just about having a good time.
And then, there’s the dreaded F-word of all party albums: filler. I hate to use such a filthy word, but alas, there’s just no other way to put it. Bad enough that the tone of the album never shifts, but some tracks are simply too plain. There’s no sense of boldness, no sense of, “this is our first record and it’s make or break time, so we better kick some ass!” Perhaps this is due to the production of Gil Norton, a man who has produced a number of rock albums, including the Foo Fighters and Pixies. He brings a very accomplished sheen to the album, one that gives the sense that this is an experienced band as opposed to a young, brashful one. Even the opening bass riff to “Body 21” sounds way too similar to the Pixies’ “Debaser.” However, the accomplished sheen does feel manufactured rather than natural. Probably looser production would have benefited this debut because sadly, there’s too much forethought put into the album. Rather than sounding carefully crafted, it sounds calculated for radio play.
Even the best tracks on the album are marred by silly lyrics. “Nth Degree,” a highly danceable number (think of the Killers without the extensive synth work) contains a lot of singing about the band’s name. Chantal Claret spells it for us: “M-O-, M-O-R-, M-O-R-N-I-N-G-W-O-O-D… and harder!” Bananas, this ain’t. Someone’s a hollaback girl here, and I hate to say it, but it sure ain’t Gwen Stefani.
Likewise, the sexually suggestive lyrics of “Take Off Your Clothes” don’t get much more complex than the title. “Take off my clothes / Just rip off my clothes” are lyrics that sound fine in a party setting, or maybe if you’re in a car with some good friends on a Friday night heading over to the local 7-11 for some Slurpee action. In just about any other situation, a rock song with those words are embarrassing even with a sassy female squealing them in delight. I mean, you wouldn’t want to be listening to it on your headphones when you’re sitting on the bus next to an old lady. To the song’s credit, though, it’s one of the catchiest songs on the album, and it features some really fun boy-girl back-and-forth harmonies.
A guilty pleasure at best, Morningwood’s debut album is fun for a while. It works best in small, sparing doses.
"Morningwood" is on sale January 10, 0006 from Capitol.
