Morningwood - Morningwood

Genre rock Publisher Capitol Records External Links Official Website Capitol Records

Had this album come out ten or so years ago I would have bought it sight unseen just for the fact that the great Gil Norton's (Pixies, Belly) name was on it as producer. But it's not the early-mid 90s and I didn't pay for Morningwood's self-titled debut, it was sent to me in the hopes that I'd like it so much I'd be positively spastic about it to the point that I would be bouncing off the walls in anticipation to write ejaculatory praise about it. Suffice it to say that ain't the reaction this New York band's album elicits.

The song "Nth Degree" has a cute video that never seems to leave rotation on MTV2's "Subterranean" program (hosted by that insufferable dolt Jim Shearer), and the song is goofy, light, and completely hackneyed in every possible way (they sing-spell their own name, for fuck's sake). While "Jetsetter," the song that SIRIUS' "Left Of Center" station tends to play more than they should, is an obnoxious, shrill tune that loses its melody ten seconds in, becoming wall-to-wall sonic irritation in the process. Morningwood's solution to any musical quagmire is to hit the fuzz pedal on their guitars and keyboards, resulting in a hasty run for aspirin.

Singer Chantal Claret is damn sexy when she's not trying too hard ("Take Off Your Clothes" manages to make The Divinyls' "I Touch Myself" seem positively coquettish). Claret is a vivacious brunette whose energy and self-confidence makes up for the uninspired, new-wave revivalist drivel the band rolls around in like a pig in slop. But this is audio and not video, and if you really want to toss one off to Claret's curvaceous form, then I suggest you pick up the new issue of Blender where she is in some racy lingerie shots. Have at it.

But yeah, the band plays fast, inject the requisite amount of 80s synth hooks for this sort of bandwagon jumping, and genuinely appear to be enjoying the experience. Which is great for them. Too bad they're the only ones having fun at this party.