Car Seat Headrest - Teens of Style & El Vy - Return to the Moon Album Reviews

Two unknown entities. I knew nothing of Car Seat Headrest before their latest album dropped on 30th October (although a debut for Matador Records - and essentially a reworking of old songs). As for El Vy, I had no idea this project was in the offing. Matt Berninger is one of my favourite vocalists and songwriters, so upon learning of this surprise collaboration, I was excited to listen.



I'll start with Car Seat Headrest. An album which offers some gorgeous and infectious Lo-Fi, which I am a real sucker for. The consistency on this album is brilliant, with a collection of tracks to really immerse yourself in. The vocals, albeit a little fuzzed out at times are layered and a poignant feature of this record. Music in this style can often feature vocals which are essentially background noise and included to basically fill the void, with the music doing all the talking. This isn't the case here, which I admire. The lyrics are witty and at times, damn right strange.

"I want to break something important 
I want to kick my dad in the shins "

The tempo varies throughout also, with some slower and more heartfelt moments such as 'The Drum' and some quicker and raw tracks like 'psst, teenagers, take off your clo". The quality however, never falters. The track 'Strangers' is a perfect example of a piece of music that you know won't get heard anywhere near enough as it deserves. A treasure for the small number of fans this band likely have in the grand scheme. 'Something Soon', 'Sunburned Shirts & 'Times to Die' being other highlights on an hugely like-able and addictive piece of music. It is likely Car Seat Headrest will reach nothing higher than semi-cult status. Sometimes, it's nice to be a part of that.

8.5/10

Matt Berninger has a distinctive voice. It's fair to say, it isn't a voice I would associate with positive, happy and vibrant themes. Upon hearing, 'Return to the Moon' - the first single off this album. I really wasn't feeling it. Beautiful South sprung to mind. Did I actually just think that? I remember thinking. In all honesty, I was reaching for the sick bucket. A horrible, horrible blend of vocals and music. It just didn't work. Thankfully, Matt & Brent (From Menomena) shift style pretty quickly. 'I'm the Man to be' follows. Here the vocals are dragged out and edgy, but with a more stripped back and groovy backdrop. This works better, with a more listenable fusion of styles. It's odd. Very odd indeed.

"I'm peaceful cause my dick's in sunlight

Held up by kites
Cause I'm the man to be"

'Need a Friend', fits along with the mould that the music doesn't fit the vocal style. Yet, I love this track. Whether it's the reverby guitar, the catchy keyboard riff or the line: "this is heartbreaking, heartbreaking, heartbreaking, heartbreaking" that Matt Berninger wails out at the end, I really don't know. For the first time so far, it just works. "Silent Ivy Hotel","It's a Game" & a few others have moments to like, but overall it seems I like the vocals or the instrumentation as separate parts far too often. The music of Brent simply isn't that compatible with the vocal delivery of Matt. As hard as they try! Also, 'No Time to Crank the Sun' really does sound like a U2 rip off. Like, really badly. 

When you are as big a fan of The National as I am, you very much like the status quo they have created in their music. This side project from Matt Berninger is intriguing and at times, enjoyable. But you come away thankful that The National are what they are. Perhaps a fresh set of ears, oblivious to The National may appreciate this more. Gig Soup gave this album a 10/10, calling it one of the best this decade. Have they heard 'High Violet'?!

6.5/10

Other album reviews: 

Grimes - Art Angels : 8/10

Fuzz - II : 7/10

Here is Something Soon by Car Seat Headrest: