Cincinnati CityBeat : 08/16/2006 : Short Takes

What Made Milewaukee Famous -- Trying to Never Catch Up

Maybe I'm just in one of my moods, but this album is boring. It's definitely got the clichéd hooks, Pop sensibility and melodramatic vocals that are essential parts to the blueprint of how to write a song that might one day be the background music on some shitty MTV reality show. Good for them, if that's what they want. But damn if each subsequent song doesn't simply make my eyelids feel heavier and heavier. The quirkiness of the album, accompanied by awkward lyrics and strange beats/noises, peeks its head out during songs like "Judas" and "Curtains!," but is eventually enveloped by a forced atmospheric undertone. Mainly because I could not take control of my wandering mind while listening to the album, I began picturing what WMMF's live show might be like. For the life of me, I could not get the vision of each member bobbing his head side to side with a big, phony grin on his face. Gross and aggravating. Does it seem like I hate this band yet? Well the funny thing is that I don't. They just really don't warrant any worthwhile reaction. What Made Milwaukee Famous is an ambivalent shrug of the shoulders. I think I'll go listen to some Ted Leo. (Kevin Warwick) Grade: C

Shake It Records -- Click here to buy

Previously in Short Takes

Short Takes Heartless Bastards -- All This Time (Fat Possum) Edited By Mike Breen (August 9, 2006)
Short Takes Archie Bronson Outfit -- Derdang Derdang (Domino) Edited By Mike Breen (August 9, 2006)
Short Takes The Sadies -- In Concert Vol. 1 (Yep Roc) Edited By Mike Breen (August 9, 2006)
more...

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