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The good news is that Dewey Defeats Truman is a good
band, capable of writing songs you will most certainly enjoy
right away. The bad news is there are countless other bands
that sound just like them. The Road To Nowhere Maps EP
does little to separate Dewey Defeats Truman from the herds
of comparable acts, but if you were able to judge it solely
on its own merits, it would more than likely receive a high
score.
This is the sort of band with a list of influences that reads
like a who’s-who of indie rock: Superchunk, Dinosaur
Jr., Pavement, The Pixies, Husker Du
and so on. If you want a comparison, think The Promise
Ring, Jimmy Eat World, The Get Up Kids,
or any similar emo-pop group. Dewey Defeats Truman does not
rely on hiding behind any sort of studio trickery. This is
upbeat and straightforward guitar-driven indie rock with no
frills. The best part is that the band actually sounds as
though it is having fun. The lyrics, even if they are pondering
something less than pleasant, are filled with hints of optimism,
and the layered vocal harmonies add another pleasant element.
The jangly guitars may sound like the work of countless other
bands, but it still has some endearing qualities, and everything
else is just playful enough to put a smile on your face. From
the mid-tempo “Fly Below The Radar” to the sugary “Pencil
Fight” to the oddly angular guitar work of “Die Ramora,” there
is not much here you haven’t heard before, but if it isn’t
broke, why fix it?
It is indeed possible to enjoy a record that breaks no new
ground, as long as the music is good and the band has some
sense of passion about what it is doing. That is the case
with Dewey Defeats Truman. It seems as though the band made
a conscience effort to fit into that “indie rock” mold, and
though they may get lost in the crowd from time to time, they
really don’t seem to mind.
- Eddie Fournier
Track Listing:
- No More Joy
- Sound Surrounds
- Fly Below the Radar
- Damaged Goods
- Pencil Fight
- Die Remora
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