By Stan Cierlitsky
I'm really excited to be able to review the new self-titled album by Muzz which comes out June 5th on Matador Records. In a way, Muzz is a bit of an indie-rock super-group. Paul Banks comes from Interpol, Matt Barrick comes from The Walkmen, and Josh Kaufman has produced The National. Obviously, these three have been involved with many other projects, but these are the important ones to me. Even though Paul Banks sang on other projects like Julian Plenti and Banks & Steelz, this one feels way different. It's definitely a slower album than any Interpol record, or the other projects, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Muzz creates a mood that I haven't felt since Interpol's debut.
The first teaser that came out is also the first song on the album, "Bad Feeling". "Yeah we're rolling, living outside now" is the first line on the first song of this project, and, man, how I can relate. With all that's going on with COVID, it seems like hanging outside at a distance is the only way to see people anymore. This song is a slow, plodding number, and immediately you will try and figure out what the music reminds you of. Is it Interpol, or is it Julian Plenti, or is it Banks' solo first solo album? Damn if I know, but it's the start of an album I'm sure that you will enjoy. The press release states, "Sonically, the band aimed for a timeless tone, one that would make the music hard to place...". I think that sums it up pretty well. My friend Bob mentioned that it sounds like a mix of Interpol and The National. Okay. I can buy that too.
The second teaser that came out set me back a little. It's called "BrokenTambourine". After these two songs I was wondering just how slow this project would be. While certainly interesting, I won't lie... I like "my" Paul Banks a little more riled up.
The next two teasers that came out are my two favorites on the album, and rank right up there with the best of Banks. "Red Western Sky" definitely starts out sounding like The National, but immediately sets itself apart when Paul's voice comes in. The piano, the little background guitar flourishes, the subtle horns... all perfect! "Send the best in for me, and the rest remains still so sudden, in the mess." Typical great poetic Banks lyrics. "Knuckleduster", on the other hand, is probably the biggest sounding song on the album, and it immediately stood out. The music is so interesting. When it all kicks in, it reminded me a little of when Morrissey turned to rockabilly, but this is much darker. Another great lyric here: "Roughed up, rundown, gave in to giving up, you can take it out on me, 'cause I don't give a fuck." Wow!
And if you have been following Banks, you probably have already heard those four by now. The rest of the album is filled with many subtle sounds and styles all wrapped up In a dark moody vibe. I really want to review every song on the album, but I won't. However, "Chubby Checker" is is another favorite. It is slow, but has a perfect vibe and again, if you listen closely, there are so many interesting little guitar flourishes. Paul chants "Back on your feet like you planned it," and you even hear a bit of electronica at the end. So nice. "How Many Days" sounds a little more like Interpol to me than a lot of the others. Not sure why. The music will probably remind you of something else, but I can't put my finger on it. I actually love when bands do that. Gotta love the guitar solo that starts out sounding like a saxophone. And "Evergreen" has one of the coolest sounding openings on the record. Little electronic sounds started out making me think about O.M.D., but don't get me wrong: this is nothing like them.
So hopefully I have said enough to make you want to give this a spin. Overall, it definitely isn't as immediate as many of Bank's other projects, but this is worth investing some time with, and listening very closely. There are so many little production nuggets that will start to come to the front the more you listen. And I really hope that this isn't a one off project.
Muzz is out on Friday via Matador Records.
[Photo: Matador Records]