Magic Marker (2022)
I have been a huge fan of Boat since their 2010 album, Dress Like Your Idols. Since then I've bought every album and vinyl reissue of their older records. Each and every time I'm so happy that there's a band out there still carrying the torch of the kind of 90s-style indie rock that I adore so much.
Any Boat record is going to be a pretty great record, especially when compared to the other bands that even bother to play indie rock these days. They're always got that wonderful guitar jangle and Pavement-esque irreverence. Though if you compare this to other Boat records, it's very good, but not my favorite of theirs.
I think part of that is the way it was recorded. From reading, it seems that this was a true pandemic album where the band members where not in the same place together at the same time. I think that hurts the energy a little bit, I won't go so far as to say that some of the songs sound clinical, but they don't seem quite as vibrant as prior albums. There's also something going on with the vocals that I can't quite figure out. They sound a little static-y and blown out here and there, but it's not always clear if this was a technology issue or an aesthetic choice. It's not on every song, but it does make things feel a little off at times.
That probably makes it seem like I don't like this record, but that's not the case at all. These are great songs done by a great band and is definitely one of the better albums I've heard this year. I just have such high expectations for Boat and there are a few moments where something just sounds a little off in a way I'm not able to easily articulate. But again, for the most part, this is a very fun listen.
Boat - No Plans to Stick the Landing:
https://boat.bandcamp.com/album/no-plans-to-stick-the-landing
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