I find it curious that I Was A Cub Scout are so very proud of having been cub scouts: their MySpace page proclaims: “We are I Was A Cub Scout and we were cub scouts so please don’t ask”. In fact, I never knew that there were cub scouts in the UK; I guess I never really gave it much thought, I just assumed that scouts were an American creation. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the Boy Scouts were actually founded in England! But I digress… it’s just this kind of mind-wandering that’s triggered by IWACS’s debut album, I Want You To Know That There Is Always Hope (henceforth to be referred to simply as “the album” as that title is too long to type out more than once). After releasing four singles over the past year and a half, they are finally releasing their debut full-length. Unfortunately, I can’t say it was worth the wait.
Now, there are aspects of the album that I really enjoyed. There’s the glockenspiel on the otherwise slow-paced, somewhat boring ‘Lucean’. There’s the rather nice chorus melody on the much-ballyhooed single ‘Pink Squares’, provided you can get past the banal lyrics: “And oh oh oh, am I in trouble? And darling I apologise, I miss you more than anything, please don’t ever leave my side“. ‘Part III’, although flat sounding at times and perhaps the most severe victim of Todd Marriott’s “emo”-tive vocals, does manage to rock out some on the chorus. The up-front percussion and catchy hooks do a fine job of carrying ‘Our Smallest Adventures’. And lastly there’s ‘The Hunter’s Daughter’, easily the albums’ standout track. It’s got good energy and an unpredicted mid-song flourish of spacey synth and trumpets that explodes into a lovely finish. Best of all, it’s welcomingly devoid of the over-the-top twee and emo that pervades the rest of the album.
Though I wish I could say that there are more things right than wrong, it just isn’t so. The opener ‘Save Your Wishes’ is too much of a syrupy pop song for my tastes, and the album never gives itself a bona fide chance to recover. As previously mentioned, Marriott’s vocals are too emo, and despite having replaced the drum machine with the real deal in William Bowerman, there are instances (‘Echoes’) where the percussion still comes over a bit electronic-y. Though the handclaps are kind of corny, I will admit to fancying the poppy synth beats at the beginning of ‘We Were Made To Love’, but Marriott’s vocals again drag the track down to mediocrity. Of course, lyrics like “we were made to love, we’re not the best at it” don’t help much either. Which brings me right along to another beef: the lyrics are vacuous most of the time, which is to be expected I suppose for an album that was created by the teenage IWACS and is substantially comprised of sappy love songs.
The album, I think, would have done better with a less polished, more rough around the edges sound than what Phil Collins producer Hugh Padgham constructed. I will concede that I didn’t give it as much attention as I probably should have, but the album failed miserably in holding my attention. Or perhaps I’m just too old and cynical to appreciate a band so young; it’s clear that IWACS are playing their hearts out, it’s just too bad the music doesn’t match their enthusiasm.
47%
Links
I Was A Cub Scout [official site] [myspace]
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A contrasting Opinion
A few quick questions:
Is this hasty review honestly expected to be an adequate representation for “I Want You To Know That There Is Always Hope”. What is the point of such a review – to demean the authors, ward away potential consumers of the album, or to simply have something interesting to say about it?
Although I deeply agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I cannot accept the review written for this CD. In the words of this album, “I suggest you stop and collect yourself” ( – Recommendations), and take another close listen to this album.
To the author:
I understand your opinion, but it seems like you have an impossible standard to which nothing can live up to. This album, to those of a more privileged ear, is golden, and does not deserve the tarnish you set upon its name. Perhaps you are not a fan of such a genre, and in that case I question your authority on writing a review for an album of this nature. Perhaps you are a fan of this genre, in which case you must accept that there are many fans of it.
(I’ve just re-read this and it seems like my writing is in the interest of criticizing your music taste, and if that is the message that this reply give to you, I apologize. My real meaning of this reply was to suggest an alternative for debate, to give the people who read this review two balanced opinions of this album, so they are not immediately swayed by the criticisms it has received from you.)
To the interested buyer considering a purchase of this album:
Do not be swayed by this opinion. This album is definitely worth the wait, and is definitely deserving of your time to listen to it. In my opinion, this album is very important, and different from anything I have heard before. Listen to it, and make up your own mind.
My regards, and apologies (to the author),
Karl Walker
just in case anyone was wondering, that was an official statement from the owner of http://www.ireallyfuckingloveiwasacubscout.com
And, of course, the great news is that they’ve now split!
Hey Karl,
Regarding your first question, “What is the point of such a review?”. What’s the point of any album review? To inform readers of what to expect musically, technically, lyrically, what have you.
You stated that I seem to have “an impossible standard to which nothing can live up to”. Not true. If you were to check the archives for other album reviews I’ve written, you’ll find many that live up to my standards. I will admit to having high standards, yes, but I like to hope and believe that anyone who tackles album reviews would have high standards rather than proclaiming every piece of work to be the best thing since sliced bread.
As far as being a fan of IWACS’s genre… there are many electronica bands that I thoroughly enjoy. I’ve even been known to dig some twee and emo in certain cases. IWACS is not my cup of tea. It’s absolutely impossible for a reviewer’s opinions not seep into any write-up of a piece of work, but I do try to be as objective as possible. Anyway, who’s to say someone won’t read my beefs about the album (i.e. sappy love songs, overly emo vocals, polished production) and find that what I dislike about the album is quite their cup of tea?
I think it’s fair to say that most every album ever recorded has at least one fan who thinks it’s the greatest thing ever. But that doesn’t mean that as reviewers we need to give every album high marks. So take album reviews with a grain of salt, or ignore the ones you don’t like I guess.
I do find it interesting that this popped up now, just as the band announced they’re breaking up, rather than when we published the review in February… I don’t know what it means, really, but it’s interesting.
Bridget! Well said.
Thought I’d add my two cents.
Although I don’t agree with the overall review as a whole, I do agree with Bridget’s reply to Karl.
While there are points where the vocals do seem a bit off I do still enjoy the sound and lame lyrics of this band. They are, so to speak, my cup of tea at the moment and obviously everyone is entitled to their own opinion and do not need to complain about their opinion, though I haven’t looked I’m quite sure that there are positive reviews about this album and that people will look at those and disagree. It was interesting to read another person’s look on the album though, thanks for giving me the opportunity.
I deeply apologize for my previous response. I realize that I was being hypocritical in imposing my opinion. I am so humbled Bridget. I do love this album, it has meant a lot to me, but I understand your opinion and have considered it. Upon reading my reply, I am ashamed.
I have recently gathered a new insight on my life, and do not wish for this to be remembered of me. Thank you for your opinion Bridget, and same to everyone else here. I apologize to everyone on my behalf.
I was angry at other matters that day, and it was not right to unleash it on all of you.
My opinion of this album is unchanged, though I understand Bridget’s, and consider it valid.
Please forgive me.
Karl