1. Eighth Avenue
Da’s, Na’s, or Ooh’s? Yes: “Ooooooooh ooh ooh ooohooohooohooo” Reference to New York? Yes: see song title
10/10
This may encapsulate the album (and the band?) as a whole. It’s got some twee aspects: twinkling keyboards, dreamy vocals you can’t always understand but assume vaguely involve New York City. But it’s also got some surprisingly aggressive musical moments – pre-chorus drummming that makes me bang my steering wheel in agreement, and a chaotic electric bridge and outro. Plus she uses the word “maudlin” in the chorus so you assume the band is smart, and you congratulate yourself for listening to smart music.
9/10
I agree that this song encapsulates the band/album as a whole, though for the first 10 seconds, I feel like I'm listening to Belle and Sebastian. To me, her enunciation is particularly bad on this track. I hear a bunch of mumbled words punctuated by "oooooo"s. But it works! I do really love the line "Young and maudlin, you were alright till the end of the night." Maybe because they're the only words I can discern, maybe because "maudlin" is such a great word, maybe because I can super relate to the thought. Either way, it's a good chorus and a great start to the album.
2. Friends of Friends
Da’s, Na’s, or Ooh’s? No.Reference to New York? Yes: “old New York”, “14th Street”, “New Amsterdam”
8/10
The simple rhythm reminds me of Vampire Weekend’s “Oxford Comma”, plus I’m a sucker for any brass instruments used in songs not performed by Bruno Mars. I also think the bridge of this song is musically interesting, beginning predictably and becoming complex.
10/10
This song is instant joy. The lyrics are almost comically simple, but it doesn't really matter. (And I don't understand the line "I'd rather be home. My president's there." Patriotism?) But the drums are great. And what's the brass? A sax? An oboe-sax? I like it. Also, I can't separate the song from the video, so it makes me think of Maeby Funke eating hot dogs in New York, which is great. The album, especially these first two songs, seems like it could be the soundtrack to my New York life if I did cooler things.
3. Betty Wang
Da’s, Na’s, or Ooh’s? Yes: “Dah da da da dah dah”Reference to New York? Yes: “Edison Hotel”, “If you leave New York”
6/10
You think she’s singing “Sous chef” but she’s singing “Su Chia”, the Chinese name of Betty Wang, a woman that was her co-worker. Or so the internet tells me. Pleasant but a little too simple.
6/10
I thought she was singing "sous chef" too! I agree with your assessment that it is pleasant, but too simple. Doesn't stick with me, though I like how she sings "You don't laugh at my jokes. I appreciate your time." In my mind, Betty Wang looks a lot like Knives Chau from "Scott Pilgrim."
4. Julie
Da’s, Na’s, or Ooh’s? Yes: “Dah da da da dah dah”, like in Betty Wang, but slowerReference to New York? No
9/10
This is probably the quietest song on the album, where her voice is most showcased, and I still can’t quite tell what every fourth word is. So like the rest of the record, I can’t really tell what it’s about, but it’s pleasant on my ear holes.
6/10
I'm surprised you gave this one such high marks. I kept waiting for this to break open into something really sweeping and anthemic, but I was left disappointed. Pretty, but underwhelming.
5. The Right Profession
Da’s, Na’s, or Ooh’s? NoReference to New York? No
6/10
I’d again compare this tempo to Vampire Weekend. Not a great tune, but not bad, and at under 2 minutes it’s not worth complaints or praise.
7/10
Kind of forgettable, but a good pick-me-up after downer "Julie." Fun, poppy, summery, and all over the place musically. They pack in a lot of different sounds in less than two minutes, though I'm still struggling to hear the Vampire Weekend comparison here. Anyway, I like the somehow-kind-of-British-sounding singalong on "I don't want to tell you more."
6. Sleepover
Da’s, Na’s, or Ooh’s? NoReference to New York? No
7/10
It’s a laid-back, shiny groove. Reminds me a little of the xx’s music? Again, lyrics I can’t really hear or comprehend, but I assume it is about a children’s sleepover. Does she say “raisin-colored eyes”? I can’t imagine anyone accepting that as a compliment, no matter how accurate the description may be.
7/10
I feel like there is something slightly (ever so slightly) Pavementy in this song. Is that way off-base? I think it might be, but I keep thinking it. I don't know. The sound is kind of sleepy (get it?) and comforting. Reading the lyrics, I think this is more of a "grown-up" sleepover than a children's sleepover. She is totally digging those raisin-colored eyes. Which I think is kind of an awesome description even though I hate raisins.
7. The Birthday
Da’s, Na’s, or Ooh’s? Yes: “Na na nah na na na nah na na na na na na”Reference to New York? No
9/10
This is great but I couldn’t say why. It’s simple. It’s got a cool, driving beat. It’s got a bass and some drums and some jangly guitar, and keyboards on the chorus, and some brass at the end. That’s definitely what’s got. It’s real good.
9/10
I'm a big fan of this one as well. It makes me think of a spy movie. Not the lyrics; I have no idea what she's saying for the most part. (I just looked up the lyrics. Check them out! "The ruins of Rome in your armchair... Filling up your pores and your wars and your basket" What is going on here?? ) Anyhow, something about it sounds kind of espionagey, and I like it. Also, all the nah nah nahs! Fill a chorus with "nah nah nah" and I will love your song. True.
8. Argonauts
Da’s, Na’s, or Ooh’s? Yes: “Da da da da da da da da da”Reference to New York? Yes: “Ellis Island”, “Miss Liberty”
9/10
The best thing I can say about this song is that it was stuck in my head for 48 hours and I still like it. Again, I can interpret bits of what she’s saying, but the lyrics as a whole are puzzling. “Don’t forget the bow?” Like the bow of the ship that’s taking you to the Statue of Liberty?
8/10
I like how she sings this one. It's kind of sleepy and dreamy, but she hits certain words in a great, clipped way. Like on "Julie," I thought this would become something big. When she's repeating "don't forget the bell" (not "bow"! ... I think) I wanted it to keep growing, and it somehow got quieter. And I feel like this one should close the album. I also wonder what her deal is with the Statue of Liberty. You're in a New York band. We get it.
9. Liberal Arts
Da’s, Na’s, or Ooh’s? Yes: “Da da da da da da da da da da da da da”Reference to New York? Sorta: “Garden City”, on Long Island
4/10
Reviews of the album seem obligated to mention these lyrics, about a hyper-educated literature major who “found your joy on Saturdays / Friends and film and ___ your girlfriend”. But the perv critics don’t mention how “You traded all your time for money” doesn’t make sense for that guy. Wouldn’t that apply to some alpha capitalist businessman?
7.5/10
Simple and pleasant overall. I immediately liked this one because of the line "no trust fund, no daddy doctor." But you're right about that "trading time" line. Maybe it's like "trading time for money" working lame part-time jobs to pay for your education since you're not a trust-fund kid having money handed to you by your parents? That is my leading theory that I just made up. The "da da da"s and "do do do"s are great.
10. All Day Today
Da’s, Na’s, or Ooh’s? NoReference to New York? No
10/10
Here, they put it all together again. Great horns, great rhythm, a sing-along chorus, some interesting electric guitar rocking. Love it.
10/10
Yes, this chorus was exactly what I was looking for. Finally! Also, I'm interested to hear what you think of the lyrics. It's a fun, happy-sounding song, but I can't decide if it is indeed happy. "All day today I met you" is lovely and sweet. But then it reaches "All day today I left you"... Is she in love or is she mourning something lost? Am I dancing to a song of pain? And what's with the little lambs?? AM I OVERTHINKING? Whatevs. The lyrics don't really matter. Just dance. (Lady Gaga)
Final Score
dn: 78/100
a: 79.5/100
As the numbers show, this album merits a “strong buy” recommendation from us both. Alternatively, you’d be wise to cherry pick the strongest songs to add to your collection. If you’d like to see them live, come to the Jackpot on June 8 - I plan to be there.
