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The cover of The Tah-Dahs' Le Fun is an iconic critique
of the band and their art. On it, two lovers, their faces each covered
by a yellow pillowcase, share a kiss. The image captures authentic
romance, while at the same time poking fun at it. It's a funny cover,
even clever. Yet, it also tries a little too hard, and in turn is
in danger of being annoying. Still, it peaks the onlookers curiosity
enough and shows some hope of an enjoyable album.
The first track, "Alcoholic," has some clever lines here
and there. Plus, it's pretty damned catchy. But for every witty
"If you were the worst rock star to ever grace the planet/I'd
drive all over just to watch you play," there's just as many
not-so-witty lines, such as "If you were the principal/then
I would stab the teacher."
The same dynamic characterizes the whole album, really. A great
song like "Temporary" is placed beside the not-so-great
track "The Cute Band." While the former graces us with
an infectious chorus of beautiful melodies, the latter merely annoys
us with its musical redundancy and pretentious lyrics, like "sharp,
dark, posteurpedic postmodern novelic bulimic."
Luckily, the album's best songs are a treat. The Tah-Dahs brew the
unapologetic humor of antifolkers, from The Lemonheads to Moldy
Peaches, with Clash-like grooves and The Pixies'
fever. "Why'd It Take So Long For You To Fall In Love With Me"
is the best manifestation of this. Its feedbacking guitars and well-timed
drum rolls struggle together as a forced falsetto shouts, "It
really shoulda been love at first site/but the damn optometrist could
never get it right." Come to think of it, that line's kind of
lame too. Oh well.
Le Fun is at best a B- album: far from perfect, but an enjoyable-enough
listen. And it does reveal a band with fairly sharp wit. The Tah-Dahs
also have some fine musical chops to boot. In light of this, Le
Fun mustn't be approached as a masterpiece. Rather, it's a stepping
stone leading into a promising future. As long as The Tah-Dahs improve
upon their weaknesses and let their strengths shine, they are sure
to move in a good direction.
-Justin Stover
Track Listing:
1. Alcoholic
2. Mix Tape=Love
3. Temporary
4. The Cute Band
5. Chix
6. Why'd It Take So Long For You To Fall In Love With Me?
7. Huge Eyes and Ha-Ha's
8. New York
9. The Clap
10. Whoo-Hoo-Hoo
11. Better Than The Movie
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