Obits - Moody, Standard and Poor

Obits Moody, Standard and Poor Sub Pop 6 / 10 May 2nd By Courtney Sanders

When Rick Froberb from the defunct Hot Snakes formed Obits back in 2008 the expectation placed on their debut record, I Blame You, was monumental; ‘Please both sound like your old band and present an impressive sonic progression.’ While I Blame You was a fantastic start, it nailed the former with minimal attention paid to new territory; surf rock and rockabilly combined for a set of staccato punk tracks. The build up to the release of sophomore, Moody, Standard and Poor was therefore rife with expectations of eclecticism and exploration of new sonic territory.

With the above parameters in mind, Obits definitely did not deliver. Moody, Standard and Poor is basically a repeat of their first effort; a set of short, sharp, shouty tracks with earnest lyricism and at -times contrived sonic additions. The combined cringe, for example, of a setting a chorus that repeatedly chants “Killer!” above a psychedelic guitar solo is enough to turn one off the entire album. “No Fly List”, which delivers a mantra that being badass is awesome (“You’re on the No Fly List”) is so earnest in message, and so far removed from any current wave of sonic thought that it almost sounds like a spoof, which, is somehow simultaneously embarrassing and endearing. The addition of two instrumental tracks however – “Spot the Pikey” and “I Blame Myself” – just seems unnecessary.

Which is to say, if you enjoyed Obit’s debut, or you like your rock served up in three-and-a-half minute throwbacks, Moody, Standard and Poor is for you, and there will be plenty of enjoyable moments. Slower track “Shift Operator” demonstrates the band's ability to be introspective, while the monotonic guitar and rhythm sections present a pleasant break from the melodic motions of the rest of the album. And while those motions are interchangeable with those on I Blame You, they retain the immediacy and abandon of both Obits and their previous efforts, which is one of Moody, Standard and Poor’s only saving graces.

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