This record, when compared with others in the collective Bedhead oeuvre, pales, if only slightly. There are magnificent moments, ones which contain some of their best work, and by far the best production value of any Bedhead records. Though, ultimately, when heard with the hubris displaying rock numbres (which could probably pretty offhandedly be described as cute), and listened to through the horrible title Transaction de Novo, (one of many horribly-titled Bedhead records, by the way, none of which seem to make any particular sense. What is this title supposed to communicate to me, the listener? That Bedhead are just really tired of making music? That theyre really bored? Well, thats just really boring) its cheapified, if only-so-slightly. The first song, Exhume, which may be a subtle reference to the all-instrumental track Inhume, goes forth at a muddy, crawling pace, which almost doesnt move at all. Its a song about transcending common-place philosophy and easy answers, in light of more profound and often-times harsh realities. Half sunk in the mud, with one eye showing/ A cracked smile, and hair still growing/ Your hands miles apart, as if theyd never met/ You were the happiest Ive seen you yet. The imagery provided matches the muddy bass line, and further solidifies Bedheads reputation as slo-core heroes and near-profound songwriters. More than Ever provides further insight into the Bedhead worldview, with descending guitar lines and grim future outlook. The song then segues, typically, into a crescendo-type ending. These are the two best moments on the record, a near-perfect beginning which could only lead way to fault. Parade is a compressed rock piece about despair and alienation, exploding into yet another heroic Bedhead-type ending, while Half-thought is all intricate guitar and awesome melody. Extramundane, meanwhile, is as fast as a band named Bedhead could get, imaginably. Which is kind of funny to scruitinize: I cant force myself to say something/ Anymore than I can think of a thing to do/ Anymore then you can pull yourself out of Nothing/ When theres nothing for some to do. Pretty darn profound, Ill say. The backdrop of which is angsty guitars and pace. Forgetting, the next song, one of many Bedhead tracks about remembering/ forgetting, etc. is as representative of The Velvet Underground as youre going to find here, complete with slide guitar and solo. Luckily, theyre back on their proverbial feet with Lepidoptera, an awesome song which I wont bother to describe. And then another unbeat track before the closer, The Present, a wickedly morose song with repetitive guitar, melody, and also effects-- something not often heard in Bedhead songs. This is their eulogy, the last track before the Lepidoptera 10 they would release months later, after announcing they would disband, a hugely sad moment for manic-depressives everywhere. Its the slight persistence of mediocrity on songs like Forgetting and Psychosomatica among others which prevent this from becomming their defining record, unfortunately. Theres just a slight sense of being rushed, somehow. Luckily these missteps are redeemed with an overwhelming amount of beaty and simplicity characteristic of this band
Posted on: Sat, 04 Oct 2014 21:46:17 +0000
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