Words originally for Outline Magazine
Label: Downtown
Release Date: March 25th, 2016
At first listen, the new record from Texas rockabillies
White Denim could be mistaken for a debut album. It’s has a desperate energy
and a fiery, youthful spirit running through it, not to mention the smirky title.
In fact, it’s the group’s seventh release, a fact that reflects in the outstanding
quality of the four piece’s bluesy, indie rhythms. It’s this combination of
zest and technical ability that makes Stiff
so initially appealing. Had 2 Know
(Personal) is a bundle of rock and roll joy wrapped up in a neat retro parcel
and Holda You (I’m Pyscho) sounds as
equally vintage as it does contemporary, the scratchy guitar lines reminiscent
of summer pop champions Circa Waves and Walk the Moon. Wah-wahs and roaring
vocals are mixed in generously. But the novelty value quickly wears off. Whilst
the rest of the LP is just as impressively executed as the opening tracks, boredom
quickly sets in when the clearly formulaic structure of each song becomes
apparent. But all things considered, White Denim have managed to create an
upbeat, infectious rock record that sounds different most other mainstream act
today and done it decent too.
7/10
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