Too Small To Fail (2012)
I've been sitting on this record for a few months now, trying to figure out what to say about it. On one hand it is approximately 10,000 times better than anything ever released by Jets To Brazil, but at it's best, this record isn't 1/4 as good as Jawbreaker. I know it's not fair to hold poor old Blake to such a high standard these days. Jawbreaker broke up so long ago that I can't imagine how he could possibly be in the same mindset to write songs like those again. But I just can't let go of those records.
Everything Blake does these days just seems moody and ultra serious. Nothing he is doing strikes me as being much fun. The songs on this record are pretty down, for the most part, which isn't inherently a bad thing, but it kind of leaves a cloud hanging over the record. Musically, it's much more straightforward that Jets were; a huge positive, but it never really gets catchy enough to keep my attention.
Even during the albums best moments, when the music is up, the band sounds tight and rock seems likely to commence, Blakes sing-songy vocals tend to steer the song dangerously close to sounding like "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch." It probably sounds like I don't like this record, which isn't true, it is a good unoffensive change of pace record to throw on every so often. The problem is I've been waiting 18 years to be wowed by a Blake band again. Unfortunately, I'm still waiting.
Forgetters - I'm Not Immune:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdiD1w9CcIk
Forgetters - Ribbonhead:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuNdhTBwbA0
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