Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: it culls you, Music, reviews, the envy corps
When I first heard “It Culls You” by the Envy Corps I was admittedly disappointed. I was underwhelmed by the seemingly boring new record by the hallowed Ames, Iowa indie rockers. Nevertheless, I didn’t lose hope right away. The band that produced such amazing gems as “Dwell” and “Kid Gloves” couldn’t put out the work of their lives and end up having it suck.
What’s deceptive is the simple formula each song takes: a general riff/rhythm is set and then shit seemingly happens around that base for about 5 minutes, weaving generously every now and again. Songs like “Dipsomania,” “Ms. Hospital Corners,” “Exchequer,” and “Med. Song” all appear to go nowhere at first. But as you listen closer, listening with acute ears, you notice the beautiful, intricate layers being made, and the subtle nuances that are always going on, but can’t always be recognized. Especially with headphones on, “It Culls You” illuminates showing its true features. It’s like a woman shrouded in darkness; her silhouette is gorgeous, you know she’s a temptress… But you’re unsure. A woman hanging out in a bar? Could be fishy. Yet as you draw closer you start seeing the details and discover she’s a bombshell hidden behind a veil of smoke.
At first I didn’t understand “It Culls You.” It seemed contrived and over-arching. But after multiple listens I finally get what these boys were after and it’s a beautiful, beautiful, haunting record. Especially “Fools Pt. 2.,” which might be one of the prettiest, most transformative songs I’ve ever heard.
My one complaint still stands: I wish vocally they would have been a little more interesting. They do the Radiohead thing extremely well, but where are the gang vocals present all over “Dwell?” Their harmonies that always extremely impressed me are nowhere to be found on “It Culls You,” either. Kind of a drawback… But you can’t deny this kind of atmosphere being created. It’s evocative; spacey; lush; barren; and destructive all at the same time.
Don’t dive into The Envy Corps’ latest album expecting a pop gem. It’s much smarter than that; almost too sophisticated for its own good at times. But when you read interviews and watch performances of the gentlemen performing their new tunes, you know that this is the record they’ve been wanting to make, and as I watch them promote “It Culls You,” I know there’s nothing they’re more proud of. And when I see that, I can’t help but root for every inch of this record. The only real dud, in my mind, is “Everyone’s Trying To Find You.” Sadly it’s a “skipper;” there’s just no need for that acoustic diddy with pointless synth action.
Honest opinion? Be prepared to be bored at first. Even the band members have poked fun at themselves for this (A Twitter conversation went like this: Man’s Opinion: “The new envy corps is a bore fest.” Envy’s response: “Yeah, we get going around track 12.” <– aka the last track)… but stick it through, throw some headphones on, and you’ll know you’re listening to something pretty special. Worst case scenario, you’ve never heard music this interesting put into a pop-rock structure before. Usually musicianship of this caliber is left to shear art rock or post prog rock; not indie pop rock… which this album barely is. Teetering on being pure musical art, there’s enough musicality here that keeps “It Culls You” constantly showing up in my ear buds and my car stereo; and you should give it just as much of a chance.
Go listen to “Palace On Stilts,” “Dipsomania,” and “Fools, Pt. 2.”
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