+/- [Plus/Minus] – “Xs On Your Eyes” (2008)

Genre: Indie Rock

Sounds Like: The Postal Service, The Polyphonic Spree, Death Cab For Cutie

Listen To: 1 – Tired Eyes – Shows the band’s full dynamic range and potential ///3 – Subdued – Awesome drum groove and indie-rock feel///5 – Halos – Similar to Tired Eyes in its escalation; ending breakdown is amazing///10 – Xs On Your Eyes – Upbeat, Weezerish

Ten seconds into the first track, you’ll think you’ve heard this band when they were called Death Cab For Cutie …which is sad because their previous albums sounded like The Postal Service. Unoriginality aside, each song on the CD has good contrast between sections, giving the record a fair amount of dynamic range and variety. The instruments routinely escalate from the mellowness of Sufjan Stevens to the franticness of Arctic Monkeys. In spite of all of these dynamic shifts, I felt the band wasn’t trying hard enough.

Although I have nothing but respect for their well-trained drummer, and appreciate the fittingness of the guitarist’s rhythms and melodies, I question the technical competency of James Beluyut’s singing. Beluyut’s reluctance to change dynamic levels or push his vocal range restricts the energy climax of every song. He frequently alternates between chest, head, and falsetto according to the mood of the song, which impresses me, but the fact he never changes volume or pushes each register is unforgiveable. The singer contributes no energy contrasts to the songs, leaving the instrumental parts to carry the burden. Furthermore, his forgettable, nonsensical lyrics paint a convoluted picture of nothing.

I want to like this album, mainly because of the carefully constructed instrumental parts that alternate between Spartan arpeggios, frantic strumming, and melodic horns, but I find the lack of a more energetic singer holds the band back. I’m sure that if Ben Gibbard (from Death Cab) heard this record, he’d swear somebody stole his musical style… and his larynx. In spite of some keen musical ability, the unoriginality, the illogical lyrics, and the lack of energy leave me wanting more.

Grade: C+ Reviewer: Andrew Huang