Ben VanDyk reviews “Insufficient Funds”

December 6th, 2009

Holy moly. Hello, hello. I would like to introduce you to Young Coconut’s new long player, called Insufficient Funds. The songs that make up this art damaged, sprawling, rocking ‘n rolling album can sing for themselves, but, you know, sometimes a little talk helps everyone loosen up a little bit. And I suggest a little limbering up in order to enjoy this album. Think of it as stretching before you get out there and kick the ball around.

One of the most difficult tasks for anyone who makes music is managing expectations for your intended audience. After all, why should they listen? And it ain’t easy for listeners to make informed choices from all the mess that is available to them, given the lazy shorthand that is pervasive in rock and roll writing which depends on describing a new album or buzz band by using familiar touchstones. “The Specials meets Black Sabbath” they say, “Big Star meets the Clash meets Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet”.  Isn’t that missing the point, though?  Familiarity breeds contempt, people. Rock and roll is and was thrilling because it’s exotic, unsafe, even threatening. But rock and roll is at its most thrilling when its creators are cool enough to ride a bucking muse and let it lead.

This, I would say, brings us back to Young Coconut, and his album, Insufficient Funds. This album revels in off-kilter melodies, abstract lyrics, and zany hooks. It also relies on the performances of various guests who handle the lead vocal duties, guests from bands like Lucky Stabb, Childebeast, and World of Science, all of whom contribute to Young Coconut’s dream of an album. Not a disneyfied dream, but one with a scary id in full effect, where the unexpected waits in the stereophonic sounds.  For instance, “Did you see me?” is a clattering, full-on rock and roll track that doesn’t allow a few twisty rhythmic and textural changes get in the way of a little bit of fun verse-chorus-and-something-or-other. Without a breath it’s followed up by some noise and the gut stomping beat in “fifty cent carolinas.” And following that is the indie pop bounce of “Le$hark” which tells the story of an unrepentant criminal mastermind. This album isn’t perfect, and the seams show here and there, but that’s ok, because just like college basketball in the USA any of the missteps taken are more than forgiven for the moments of brilliance that result from sheer guts and determination.

Entry Filed under: Uncategorized