The Dears goes in new direction
The band, losing members, struggles in this attempt.
Published Oct. 27, 2008
The Dears' Web site, declaring the release of the band's new album, Missiles, urged fans not to be shy and to purchase the album under all circumstances, for it is the most important event of the week. The announcement went into details about how one shouldn't listen to any critical evaluations of the album, because all critics are doing is churning out reviews under a time crunch.
This rant, front and center on the group's Web site, could be due to front man Murray Lightburn's skepticism of the success of an album written and recorded without a lot of original members still left in the band. After 2006's Gang of Losers, tensions were high. And, during the recording of this follow-up, a large portion of the band ended up leaving.
This turnover rate, however, is nothing new for The Dears. Since their start in 1995, The Dears have included at different times a few fewer than 20 total members - a number that is startling and hardly ever seen in relatively young indie rock bands.
Along with a revolving cast of members, The Dears have also had their fair share of Canadian nominations and awards, including best production for their work on the 2002 EP Orchestral Pop Noir Romantique in the Montreal International Music Initiative.
Nonetheless, these awards and nominations didn't help them with Missiles, the least enjoyable Dears album to date. Lightburn's distinct Morrissey-esque style was present throughout, but certain verses and lines just didn't make sense when played.
"Disclaimer" is a drawn-out track that begins the album on an awkward note.
"See I've come back/From almost dead," Lightburn declares.
But is it true? This jazzy dream-pop introduction just doesn't feel right. So far, he hasn't come back from the dead - Missiles is just the beginning of the downfall.
"Money Babies" continues the trend of strange and almost dull lyrics with Lightburn singing, "Our money is elastic/Gotta get enough for the babies."
Sure, the album takes many different directions, and Lightburn proved that he isn't just a Morrissey copycat (although he did spend a large amount of time opening for him on tour). But that doesn't automatically give Missiles any sort of credit.
While the album has been taken to a whole new level sonically, the songs just don't leave a lasting impression on the listener. Most of the songs on this album sound very run-of-the-mill, with nothing new or special.
And while it's understood that this album was created in a relatively short amount of time, along with other factors that could've affected the outcome of the record, it still doesn't change the fact that Missiles is a boring excuse for an emotional indie-rock album in 2008. Lightburn and Co. can do much better, and their previous releases show that.
Maybe listeners will take Lightburn's words to heart and not read any reviews of Missiles. But one thing is for certain: This album isn't worth spending much time on at all. Fans will like to hear the new direction The Dears has taken with the new album, but don't plan on spending your winter spinning this disc too often. It won't hold up for more than three weeks.