Icarus by The Forms (Review)
If you ever needed a reason to read Opus instead of the other trillion, and I literally mean trillion, online zines out there, then this review is your reason. I am going to set you straight on a band that the fat cats in Washington don’t want you to know about. If you read as many online ‘zines as I do, then you know how much crappy writing and information there is out there. It’s beginning to get harder and harder to trust any particular site, but you must trust me on this one.
The Forms new full-length/half-length/EP or whatever the stink it is, is not for you to spend your cash on. Most sites would deceive you into thinking it is, but it isn’t. Some reviewers were caught up with the elaborate and beautiful packaging the CD came in (Icarus comes complete with a glossy foldout case with abstract photographs of freeway underpasses, sandy beaches with autumn reeds, and twinkling lights). Other critiquers most likely got distracted when they saw the names of John Golden (Sonic Youth, Spoon) and Steve Albini on the credits. Albini may or may not be a fantastic producer, but I refuse to accept the fact that anything he produces is instant gold.
The rest of the sheep were either put to sleep by the droning buzz that this band is receiving or the gentle piano playing in the background while they perused the still-frame photographs on the enhanced CD. In the end, though, they all got duped. Yet, here I am, still standing, representing Opus and communicating to you, the hard-working purchaser of CD’s, records, and tapes to save your cash.
Icarus is a pile. 10 tracks in total, but there are only 7 different songs (the first three are split into two parts each). The music tries really hard to be a new and different version of early Sunny Day Real Estate with the singer doing his best to scoop and dip his voice to make things more interesting. Some are catchy enough, especially “Stel,” but sorry boys I ain’t buying and neither will my smart readers. So don’t believe Pitchfork and certainly forget Splendid, but remember this trustworthy statement… don’t buy Icarus and save your money for candy.
Written by Jeffrey Ellinger.