CD Review

The Walkmen’s newest release, A Hundred Miles Off, is an unusual record, because the twelve songs on the album are the most textured a listener might hear within the NYC rock scene; however, the album is also strangely distanced and removed emotionally. From the album title itself to the titles of some of the songs – “Lost in Boston,” “Louisiana” and even “Tenley Town” – the concept of traveling and wandering about is constantly conjured and referenced, but without much excitement or wonder. Most drone listlessly and drowsily; and the Mariachi-sounding rhythm sections imply a drowsy, weary feel.

Leithauser as a lead vocalist has a voice with limited emotional range that can prove a bit grating after repeated listens – and on “This Job is Killing Me,” the vocals are incomprehensible and muddled - but that doesn’t mean it's a total failure. “Good for You’s Good for Me” is the most energetic and hardest rocking you'll find here after “Tenley Town.” Barrick’s drumming which alternates between subtle cymbal movements and violently explosive drum rolls manages to uncannily emphasize some of Leithauer’s phrasing and displays some remarkably tight musicianship. And yet, the song ends abruptly without much conclusion or satisfaction. “Don’t Get Me Down (Come Over),” a sexed-up come on to a lover, is a straight up guitar riff from 80’s-era U2, The Joshua Tree - I couldn’t help thinking of “In God’s Country.” But much like “Good for You’s Good for Me,” it ends abruptly without much conclusion.

From their Bows and Arrows album to this new release, the Walkmen seemed to be actively experimenting with their sound in an attempt to create something profoundly new and different. And although this unusual album is a largely uninspired mess of sorts, it’s refreshing to see a band swing for the fences and occasionally miss, only to dig in again and try for the fences again.

For more info see: marcata.net/walkmen