Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 03/09/2004
Now It's Overhead mix up a late-'80s
new wave vibe with a '90s
shoegaze sensibility on their record
Fall Back Open, released on
Saddle Creek. The first half of
Fall Back Open leans more to the moody
new wave of someone like
Peter Murphy,
Depeche Mode, or
the Cure.
Andy LeMaster creates dark, dramatic
pop, combining layers of vocals and guitars with danceable beats, as in
"Wait in Line" or the
Brit-pop leanings of
"Surrender." At times in the first half, the repeated song structure can make your attention wander. The last half of the record is more successful in its
shoegaze direction. In tracks like
"Reverse," "Antidote," and
"A Little Consolation," Now It's Overhead bring out the best qualities of '90s
Brit-pop and
shoegaze, harking to such bands as
Spiritualized and
My Bloody Valentine. Reverberated guitar washes blend against harmonized vocals and big beats.
LeMaster's vocals and lyrics tend to be laid on a bit thick, but
Fall Back Open's best moments push past those shaky parts. Athens, GA, local
Michael Stipe and
Saddle Creek labelmate
Conor Oberst (of
Bright Eyes fame) help out on backing vocals to add to the mood. Despite some tedious melodramatics,
Fall Back Open is a decent sophomore effort from
Now It's Overhead.
~David Serra, All Music Guide
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