Something Like Sound

Background

Phoenix band Miniature Tigers released two EP albums in 2008, White Magic and Black Magic, which were followed by the digital release of their full length album Tell it to the Volcano in late 2008 (February 17 is the projected hard copy release). Rolling Stone praised the band as “One of the best 25 bands on Myspace,” and Spin Magazine recognized the band as one of “The 9 Hottest New Bands Playing CMJ 2008.” Signed with Modern Art Records, Miniature Tigers, led by singer Charlie Brand, resemble The Beach Boys or The Beatles. Their sound embraces Hawaiian surf-pop and their lyrics are about longing for love and the pain and disappointment of love gone awry.

Forgettable Song

Rock bottom on this CD is “The Wolf,” a song that simply screams of absolute musical incompetence. The lyrics are mundane, repeating the same phrase, “Everybody’s looking at you/ everybody’s looking at you like they want to go home with you,” over and over and over again. The rest of the album remains in this vein, consistently disappointing with far too much repetition. Repeated lyrics are fine a couple of times but when they make up ninety percent of the song, it makes the track a complete disaster. The simplicity of the guitar and drums is comparable to any high school band’s capability with no more than three or four different chords played on guitar, and no more than the same number of different heads played on the drums.

Memorable Song

With very few bright spots on the album, the final track “Last Night’s Fake Blood” gives a glimmer of hope and offers a song that leaves the album with a somewhat less bitter taste. The track strays from the format of the previous few songs that had the chorus repeated ad nauseum, which turns out to be the only highlight of the track. The instrumentation stays the same with the acoustic playing the same three or so chords in the background and the same light hearted feel lends another repetitive element to the album.

In Closing

Tell it to the Volcano is an album that can appeal to certain listeners, but only a rare few. Fans of great bands like The Beach Boys and The Beatles will find this album absolutely appalling. While the legendary bands incorporated catchy tunes, memorable and more diverse lyrics with the same simple guitar and percussion in the background, their vocal talent and breath-taking harmonies were the focal point. People who do not like the surf style of music will absolutely abhor this album. Miniature Tigers has no better than mediocre vocals that often get drowned out by the less than interesting instrument lines in the background. This band lacks depth, musical talent, and any reason to listen to them. With many favorable reviews of the album, it might be a temptation to buy or even listen to this album. Don’t – it would be a devastating waste of time.