DERBY, Posters Fade (Green Submarine)
[POP] Scholars of Russian literature and reluctant biology students alike will tell you translation is a serious bitch. It’s no different for musicians: Rendering the melodies in your head with Pro Tools is akin to making Anna Karenina work in English.
It’s here that local pop trio Derby struggles on its sophomore release, Posters Fade. The title (according to the press release) is meant to remind listeners that though the hype of an album may fade like sun-soaked concert posters on a telephone pole, its musical substance should continue to shine. But however ostentatious its press, Derby is a straightforward, three-piece pop band writing agreeable (reiterable choruses, simple verses, pay-off bridges) but unremarkable tunes. So why is it producing grandiose albums that sound like they should’ve been on MTV a decade ago?
As the shining melodies on Posters Fade attest, Derby at least has the right idea. Frontman Nat Johnson has undoubtedly studied the best songwriters, even if he has some room to grow lyrically (on “Don’t Feed the Bear” he lazily anthropomorphizes love as a biting bear). But much of the album is buried in bland production; the abundance of harmonies, for instance, makes it hard to ascertain what Johnson’s voice really sounds like. And where he often intends “Yesterday,” he sounds instead like Lenny Kravitz Sings the Beatles. More often than not, Derby subtracts the grit that could set its sound apart. Take pub-rock tune “Stop Stalling,” with its punchy-crunchy guitars: It operates like a suburban tennis clinic—with just enough balls to keep everyone appeased.
The band does exhibit some growth on Posters, though. “All or Nothing” harkens to the most rockable of Teenage Fanclub; the hand claps and breezy, finger-picked guitars of “If Ever There’s a Reason” contrast nicely with Johnson’s early Beta Band vocals; and “Stumps” is a beautiful testament to the seldom-acknowledged importance of “Eleanor Rigby.” But the album’s so often punctuated by ignorable filler that it becomes a paradox: How do such tight individual pop songs form such a lackluster whole? Guess making run-of-the-mill pop interesting—like translating Anna Karenina—is tough to do.
HEAR IT: Posters Fade sees national release Tuesday, June 17.
Ryan
says:Question: Who is Chandler Fredrick and does he normally review/cover pop music? It’s one thing to not like an album, but it’s another to completely neglect (or miss) what it’s aiming for. I suspect that indie-pop aficionado, Amy McCollough, might have given Posters Fade a little more of a chance? Just a hunch…but who knows?
Seeing that the writer normally reviews less pop, mainstream-appealing artists, it doesn’t surprise me that this record didn’t resonate with him. Thank God, Derby isn’t in the same ballpark with Thrones, Revisions, White Fang, or Clinic - Fredrick’s previous reviews.
For what it’s worth, it’s my humble opinion that Posters Fade is a beautiful, wonderfully composed indie pop-rock gem, definitely worth the price of admission. If you enjoy a Beatles -meets-Beach Boys vibe with a bit of a punchy, sunshine-surf rocky sound - give Derby a listen and form your own opinion.
Once again, it seems that yet another hipster Portland music critic loses credibility with me as they attempt to be the usual indier-than-though, too cool for school selves. I’m sorry Mr. Frederick, but I feel you really missed the mark on this one.
Posted @ June 11th, 2008 at 9:21 am (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkJeff
says:Unfortunately Ryan, this is a review of the record, not everyone is going to like it. I’ve listened to the record and in ways I agree with Chandler. The problem with a lot of bands is that with Pro Tools you can achive technical perfection. Unfortunately the result is something void of emotion and/or guts. I too feel like the vocal production is a bit muddy not letting the melody come through enough. I do agree with Ryan when he says the record is wonderfully composed though. Great songs, muddy production. It’s OK Ryan, happens to the best of us.
Posted @ June 11th, 2008 at 1:40 pm (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkMary
says:I think Chandler Frederick definitely missed the boat on this one. Not only is the album great but their live performances of these new songs are amazing.
What I am having a hard time understanding is that Derby fans and friends are the target audience for this local publication, so why wouldn’t they support a hard-working local band?
Many people came to the Derby CD release show last Friday, June 6 at the Wonder Ballroom in part due to the advertising in the WW. How many local bands do you know play the Wonder Ballroom and fill it? Derby must be doing something right.
It sounds like this type of music is not for Chandler Frederick. As a regular reader of the WW I’m disappointed in their choice to publish this review.
Posted @ June 11th, 2008 at 2:29 pm (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkRyan
says:Good discussion, but still, I think Mr. Frederick should stick to the experimental/punk/rock that it seems he usually covers and leave pop to those who know better.
One minute he writes Derby is “producing grandiose albums” and then, in the next paragraph he calls it “bland production.” While I know these phrases aren’t mutually exclusive, one does seem to contradict the other, as I read it.
And to my ears, there’s absolutely nothing muddy about this record…including the production, vocals and melodies. But I guess we all hear and interpret sound differently, huh? I’ll give you that.
Furthermore, I recommend that the writer research the band a little more before reaching factually false, critical conclusions. He politely digs on Nat Johnson’s songwriting, claiming that he needs to “grow lyrically” and later knocks him for using “bear” metaphors in his love songs. But I wonder if he’s aware that it’s guitarist/keyboardist Dave Guilick who does most of the songwriting? Hmmm…
Seems like someone owes Nat Johnson an apology…
Posted @ June 11th, 2008 at 4:44 pm (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkMark
says:Well Ryan, Federick is entitled to his own opinion. I disagree with him, as I love love this record, but I don’t think he has to apologize for criticizing it. And yeah Gulick writes the songs, big deal. He would have said the same about him.
That being said, I doubt this review is going to mean anything with regards to the success or failure of this record. Derby seems to have a big fanbase in Portland, and will certainly continue to. And frankly no one outside of Portland reads the WW… I’m sure plenty of folks will realize how rad this record is, and Fredrick can be the dude who panned the record that Derby broke on… Such good music!
Posted @ June 11th, 2008 at 7:15 pm (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkSarah
says:WOW, I don’t think this review could be further off!!! I don’t normally write in, but personally listening to this album and reading the review I really don’t know where this guy is coming up with this stuff. Maybe he just needed to get his word count in, or maybe Chandler just doesn’t comprehend the goals of this AMAZING album. I thought the complete opposite of all of his comments, so much so that I was wondering if we were listening to the same one. This is a gem of an album, something that will be a necessity in everyone’s constant summer rotation. Nat J. and Dave G.’s vocals sound beautiful together in this harmony driven album. These boys can actually sing; it is so refreshing to hear the same beautiful voices come out live in concert as you hear on an album. Too many artists these days rely on the overproduction and “fixing” of vocals and sounds to make them sound better, the simplicity and raw and intimate recorded perfection of this album are all part of its appeal. You feel like the band is singing sweetly just over your shoulder and into your ear on songs like “If Ever There’s a Reason” and “Stumps”. Part of the brilliance of this album is that every song rolls into the next (huh, funny how you didn’t notice that Mr. Fredrick, did you really listen to the whole thing?). Musically and lyrically the album rolls from one song straight into the next taking you on a personal journey through the albums entire length. I can honestly say that I don’t think there is one bad song on the entire album (when was the last time you could say that about an album?!). This album is truly a piece of art; the songs are brilliantly composed, the lyrics are true poetry, their voices are incredible, and with a lotta rock and a little roll this album will definitely be on your top 10 list this year!
W.W., for future albums, will you please get a reviewer who appreciates the genre of music of the album to be reviewed. Thank you.
Posted @ June 12th, 2008 at 11:18 am (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkAnonymous
says:Somehow I don’t think that 20+ talented local musicians would have sat in on songs at the Derby CD release party if this review were true.
Come on Willamete Week support your local music scene!
Posted @ June 12th, 2008 at 11:25 am (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkJeff
says:I always love hearing fans of a band defend a band after they get a bad review. So what Chandler didn’t like the record. If all reviews were good ones then what would be the point of reviewing a record anymore. You are blinded by your love of the band to see the valid points Chandler is making.
Posted @ June 12th, 2008 at 3:12 pm (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkTed
says:Looks like I’m not alone in my reaction to this review. I think this album is absolutely incredible, and I’ve only listened to it a few times, with each time getting even better and better. As I opened my WillyWeek (after having the album for only a few days) I expected to see some really clever take on how this band made another great album, as well as comments on their exceptional cd release show … hmmmm?
Posted @ June 12th, 2008 at 4:29 pm (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkI’ll attempt to not be redundant in this post, but certain points are worth reiterating. Derby made an album’s album! Most reviews are of a bunch of songs stuck onto a disc, but this should’ve been the most applicable album for review in a long time being that it’s actually a singular piece of art made up of smaller parts. As someone already commented, this album works as a whole piece with the songs turning seamlessly into the next one. At the end of the album it even has lyrical call-backs to an earlier song. So cool, so unique, so unconventional. I think the production is beautiful, no grit and all.
More importantly, it’s fine to dislike an album. It’s even fine to write a review of why the album is less than appealing. But an album review should never be written from the perspective of how the reviewer wants the band to have played a different type or genre of music. It makes no sense having a Death-Metal-to-the-bone lover review a Jazz album. Maybe they’d comment on the quick notes, but I guarantee the focus would be how the Jazz album lacked edge, or balls in this case. Same thing here. Derby made music with an abundance of harmonies, because that’s what they do better than any band I’ve heard in a long long time. Have you ever seen them live?!? It’s flawless! That’s not hiding the voice, that’s accentuating their sound. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that Derby’s harmonies are one of the primary reasons I like this band, and especially this new album. I could go on and on…
It’s just a shame that the Willamette Week put a writer on this album who likely didn’t even listen to the entire thing, and panned one of the city’s best bands for the reasons that most people love them. Derby made a brilliant album and will likely serve as ambassadors of our fine city’s brilliant music for a long time to come. Come on WillyWeek, you don’t have to like everything, but at least find a way to try to support your own! At bare minimum appoint someone who appreciates the wonderful subtleties of great pop music.
CASEY JARMAN
says:This isn’t my review and I don’t feel a need to defend it, except to say that I know Chandler put a lot of time into listening to and thinking about this album and was a few feet away form him during hours upon hours of doing so.
That said, I will say that the repeated notion that we’ve somehow turned our back on our home city by running a less-than-stellar review of a local band is really unfair and downright ludacris. As far as I know, Willamette Week is the only weekly in America that dedicates its entire long-form music section to covering local music. And while 90% or more of our coverage is positive (we’re lucky to live in a city where there’s a lot we’re excited about), we are, after all, music critics. While we generally try to be constructive in our criticisms, our job isn’t to “support” bands. Our job is to give our honest opinion, praising the music we think is really worth readers’ time and money and explaining why we think other music is less so. It’s inherently subjective and conversations like this one drive that fact home. But if you think we’re out to bash Portland music, I would urge you to take a look at the paper’s music section on a week that your favorite band isn’t in it, or even just to read the rest of this one.
That’s my only rant. I’m really glad people are commenting and having a discussion about this review. That’s what the internet is supposed to be all about.
(Assistant Music Editor) Casey Jarman
Posted @ June 12th, 2008 at 7:31 pm (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinktedbrogen78
says:Casey, I agree completely that it is not the Willamette Week’s responsibility to like and support music just because it’s home-grown. That would be absurd, and reviews would lose all validity if everything coming out of Portland was highly-praised. Being critical is the intrinsic key to reviewing any work of art, it’s just (and I’m writing my interpretation of what others have posted) that this review didn’t seem to analyze this specific album from the perspective of a pop music listener, who happens to be the specific audience for this album (who may or may not enjoy this album), but either way would be the initial receptive listening audience. The end of the review says it all; “How do such tight individual pop songs form such a lackluster whole? Guess making run-of-the-mill pop interesting—like translating Anna Karenina—is tough to do.” It’s more like Chandler Fredrick was commenting on his indifference towards pop music as a whole, not really Derby at all.
I love the Willamette Week, and I love reading the reviews. They give insight into so many things from articulate specifically-applicable perspectives. This review could’ve been an informed insight into a pop album, but it felt like a review on a genre of music that never interested the writer in the first place. It wasn’t even really a bad review, and that’s great that he took a lot of time listening and thinking about the album, it just unfortunately came across as a pop-unfriendly writer not really grasping this style of music, and therefore missing the point of the album entirely.
Being an avid reader of your publication, it seems that many of the writers for the WW could love or hate this album, but at least do so critically from a pop-enthusiast’s (or, pop-educated) perspective. That’s all a reader wants; someone who thinks and has tastes/preferences similar to their own. With so much music out there, and so many different styles, some sort of compartmentalization should happen from the writer’s assignment to specific genres pertaining to styles they understand. Music and all art is complex and completely subjective, so having the proper reference-point is essential. Either way, this conversation is fun!
And yes, it is great to see people having a discussion about this. Thank you for commenting as well. It’s nice to see writers care about their publication.
Posted @ June 13th, 2008 at 12:35 pm (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkTed
says:Casey, I agree completely that it is not the Willamette Week’s responsibility to like and support music just because it’s home-grown. That would be absurd, and reviews would lose all validity if everything coming out of Portland was highly-praised. Being critical is the intrinsic key to reviewing any work of art, it’s just (and I’m writing my interpretation of what others have posted) that this review didn’t seem to analyze this specific album from the perspective of a pop music listener, who happens to be the specific audience for this album (who may or may not enjoy this album), but either way would be the initial receptive listening audience. The end of the review says it all; “How do such tight individual pop songs form such a lackluster whole? Guess making run-of-the-mill pop interesting—like translating Anna Karenina—is tough to do.” It’s more like Chandler Fredrick was commenting on his indifference towards pop music as a whole, not really Derby at all.
I love the Willamette Week, and I love reading the reviews. They give insight into so many things from articulate specifically-applicable perspectives. This review could’ve been an informed insight into a pop album, but it felt like a review on a genre of music that never interested the writer in the first place. It wasn’t even really a bad review, and that’s great that he took a lot of time listening and thinking about the album, it just unfortunately came across as a pop-unfriendly writer not really grasping this style of music, and therefore missing the point of the album entirely.
Being an avid reader of your publication, it seems that many of the writers for the WW could love or hate this album, but at least do so critically from a pop-enthusiast’s (or, pop-educated) perspective. That’s all a reader wants; someone who thinks and has tastes/preferences similar to their own. With so much music out there, and so many different styles, some sort of compartmentalization should happen from the writer’s assignment to specific genres pertaining to styles they understand. Music and all art is complex and completely subjective, so having the proper reference-point is essential. Either way, this conversation is fun!
And yes, it is great to see people having a discussion about this. Thank you for commenting as well. It’s nice to see writers care about their publication.
Posted @ June 13th, 2008 at 4:47 pm (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkJay Horton
says:Sigh. This conversation is incredibly depressing. Does no one view the critical essay as something nobler than consumer advocacy or the flattering of an extraordinarily self-satisfied industry? Not to speak of the author (who went by the name of Freddy Chandler when we were rollin’ through Dubuque) directly, but shouldn’t we at least dissect the piece before questioning credentials? Do you honestly believe critiques should be the sole domain of genre experts? That’s the most important element of the writing you enjoy? Should there be a pop certification test before authors poison young minds with fresh perspectives?
Seventy years ago, Alexander Woollcott was among the most famous men alive. Dorothy Parker’s glib, self-referential theater reviews far out-lasted the plays themselves. Pauline Kael’s audience would regularly out-strip that of the movies she’d discuss. This notion of essayists merely toiling in service of ‘the true arts’, which every comment implicitly suggests, is a very modern one. And sucky beyond words.
The Moon To Antarctica, though a nice album for the listening, taught me almost nothing about either locale, and, I’ve recently discovered, Modest Mouse haven’t actually been to either the moon or antarctica! They’ve no training in navigation at all! Surely, the label could’ve found an astronomer that would more accurately have described the journey. And, frankly, considering the moon’s enduring prominence within popular song, I thought the orb - the closest body to Earth, mind; our heavenly neighbor - unfairly dismissed within the album as a whole. The moon deserves better. Epic hasn’t yet sent my refund, but, long as I keep posting comments, I feel sure changes will be made.
Posted @ June 13th, 2008 at 7:55 pm (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkJoseph
says:Well if it makes Jay feel any better, I definitely read the WW (and the Mercury) music reviews for more than musical expertise…
Over the last eight years or so, it’s become pretty clear that any correlation between what the WW says about a band and my personal tastes is basically non-existent. If anything, there’s likely an inverse relationship. BUT, I read the reviews every Thursday, at the same burrito stand, and it’s become a ritual that I really enjoy. Partially because I know a lot of the local bands, partially because the writing is sometimes entertaining… but honestly I think it’s mostly because the battle between rock band and rock critic is as old as rock and roll itself and it’s fun to watch.
Do I think most of the folks who write music reviews for the WWeek know what their talking about? Not really… but the same could be said about many of my friends whom I love discussing music with, it partially fun because I think their tastes are so F’d up.
Now it is too bad that many people in this world view rock critics as the arbiters of success for bands, cause it’s really just not that way most of the time. Bands break because they find a fanbase, pure and simple. Music reviews really represent just a small fraction of the avenues from which people discover music, and word of mouth trumps press 90% of the time. I say don’t take the reviews so seriously… if you want Derby to succeed tell everyone you know about them, because that’s what’s going to make the biggest difference.
So I think Derby is going to do really really well, because to me their new record has some classic melodic songwriting and a lot of style, and they kill live.
That being said I have really found this weeks WW extra enterataining, and I hope this discussion continues….
Posted @ June 14th, 2008 at 9:41 am (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkabe
says:Mary wrote:
“What I am having a hard time understanding is that Derby fans and friends are the target audience for this local publication, so why wouldn’t they support a hard-working local band?
Many people came to the Derby CD release show last Friday, June 6 at the Wonder Ballroom in part due to the advertising in the WW.”
Sounds like *someone* doesn’t understand criticism and/or journalism! Wow.
Posted @ June 16th, 2008 at 12:28 am (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkChad
says:This guy’s obviously welcome to his opinion, but it’s just that his opinion happens to suck…God I wish too-cool-for-school “music critics” would just go away.
Posted @ June 17th, 2008 at 2:41 pm (June 11th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalink