Capgun Coup
'Brought to You by Nebraska Fish'
Steve Hardy
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Cadenza
 | Capgun Coup Brought to You by Nebraska Fish Rating: 2/5 Tracks to download: "Uh Huh," "Social Security Number" For fans of: The Bravery, Pavement, Violent Femmes |
"Just let your hair down and have a little fun / We're only here because we don't know where we're from," Sam Martin exclaims in "F***ed." The song has an opening keyboard riff that wouldn't be out of place on the Napoleon Dynamite soundtrack. And in that spirit, the boys from Capgun Coup do whatever they feel like on "Brought to You by Nebraska Fish." Sometimes this indulgence works; check out the excellent "Uh Huh" and its jumpy, creepy, whispered vocal-doubling shout-along chorus. Sometimes, though, Capgun Coup tries to sneak in an out-of-tune folk lullaby ("Oh My Mod"). Sorry guys, I don't care if your drummer wants a shot at singing; if he can't carry a tune, don't let him. This means you, too, Meg White.
The CD benefits from its variety. At times, the band ends up sounding like Weezer -"Will I find another girl like you? / And I don't care about the way you wear your hair / Just the way you let me down"- on "My Tears Cure Cancer," with The Bravery's wailing vocals on "Talentless Tragic Kid's Cattle List, A" and even manages a solid facsimile of Radiohead on "Social Security Number." Capgun Coup also proves to be capable of straight ahead, albeit soft, rock, though if you're looking for a guitar solo or otherwise impressive instrumental work, keep searching.
In fact, the instrument that gets the most attention may well be the accordion, present on way too many outros. It and the random sound clips of JFK are supposed to lend meaning, I guess, to the CD as a complete work, or are they to tie the pieces together, or something? Mostly they're annoying, distracting and stealing space on my iPod.
If you're a fan of the Coup, go ahead and buy "Nebraska Fish." It's got some good stuff; you just have to dig around for it. The CD probably has at least one song for everyone. So check out their set at the Gargoyle tomorrow night, and like them or leave them.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Ryan Pfeifer
posted 9/27/07 @ 2:28 PM CST
This CD is fantastic. I guess the reviewer doesn't have much of an appreciation for dissonance or something.
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