The Weegs--Meat The Weegs
Hungry Eye 2005
It seems like more and more people are trying to bring a sense of angularity to their music these days. Of course, only when that quality comes naturally and from a deep sense of roots does it equate to any real payoff. The Weegs are without question one of the bands on the better end of that draw. Their album Meat The Weegs offers a sonic palate so subtle in its diversity, if you take your eye off the prize for a second, you may miss some of its treasures.
Blending wave, both no- and new-, with the performance art aesthetic of prime Residents, the Weegs do a fantastic job integrating all their influences into a unique sonic identity. Meat The Weegs even has a synthpunk slant at times, though keys are almost always utilized here as an auxiliary voice. Translation: if you examine these grooves close enough, there's plenty here for everybody, and that depth of texture makes this music worthy of many repeat listens. It all adds up to being a sound very decidedly the Weegs.
Meat The Weegs sports solid songwriting throughout its duration. That said, those aforementioned moments of synthpunk-esque synergy make for the album's key standouts. On "Pink Elephant Walk" the band manage to approximate something in the same ballpark as labelmates Sixteens, keys being a more dominant voice here than anywhere else on the disc. "M.I.A." sees the Weegs coming off as an organic version of the Phantom Limbs, any ivory tickling being mixed so low into the background as to almost not register. Otherwise, this album showcases the Weegs ability to tapdance a quirky jerky boogaloo all over your senses, leaning heavily on their Residents-like tendencies. The best of this material includes the methodical "Petticoat" and the album closer "Bullets," with its fantastically immediate bassline.
Pigeonholing the Weegs seems like a futile endeavour, which is almost certainly part of their design. Still, it's safe to say if you're into any of the previously mentioned bands or styles, Meat The Weegs will prove worthy of your attention. An awesomely interesting listen and hopefully the first of more to come from these folks. Recommended.
Score this CD directly from HUNGRY EYE
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