Just can’t get over the bored smugness. Jangly guitar preening effortlessly to oblivion, lyrics about things I’m either not cool or stoned enough to understand.
The crime of “Teenage FBI,” and others on Do the Collapse, is taking a potentially good small idea and blowing it up into a textured, multi-tracked spectacle.
A 12-song, 35+ minute record dripping with guitar pop, walls of female vocals and harmonies with lyrics ranging from bitter to sweet, from scathing to soothing.
They speak in no-bullshit, clear-as-day verses about how we can help each other out, how justice should be served, and how one must utilize one’s voice.
The best elements of tough girl rock (think Pat Benetar, Patty Smythe, DiVinyls) with the muscle of Joan Jett and L7, yet infusing it with personal touch.
Traditional blues standards interpreted by a guy who sounds like a more soulful Howlin’ Wolf who played a cheapo trebly electric Fender rip-off of some sort.
Indie rock with a bit of pop thrown in. Cutlass Supreme really doesn’t stand out in a genre of heavy hitters like Jimmy Eat World and The Promise Ring.