The Morning Benders’ Big Echo

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Right now I’m half way through my first listen to the Morning Benders’ sophomore album Big Echo (Rough Trade), which was produced by Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor, and it was only about thirty seconds ago when  “Cold War” cued and I decided to write this laudatory sentence.  This album’s first half is as good as The Morning Benders’ previous material was flat and cowardly.

“Excuses,” which had been previously released  and positively reviewed, is the perfect opener to this album, filled with frilly strings, harmonies, and all the pop drama of a big top.   From the first measures onward, Chris Taylor’s tutelage is evident in The Morning Benders’ modified sound, which is more layered and melodious than anything off of their straight-forward debut album, Talking Through Tin Cans.

At times Big Echo drags along, almost maddeningly so.  Tracks like “Wet Cement,” or “Pleasure Sighs,” which have all the makings and anticipation of great songs, never break into the break down or stratosphere, but instead stagnate in musical pleasantries made for an introspective Sunday afternoon.

In fact, the latter half of Big Echo falls flat, especially after all the promise of the first twenty minutes.  The album languishes into musical cliches, like a man of 73 slips into senility, without a fight and with only moments of wit to remind people that he used to be funny, or that this album used to be enjoyable.  If it weren’t for “All Day Day Light,” the last Cars-esque flash of brilliance, Big Echo would’ve been better as an EP.

Mp3: The Morning Benders – Excuses

Mp3: The Morning Benders – Cold War

Mp3: The Morning Benders – All Day Day Light