Mother Mother

Add Date: February 8

Artist: Mother Mother

Album: Eureka

Label: Last Gang

Genre: Indie rock

Comments: Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't using the word "eureka" imply a genius invention or solution? When I first got this album, I was genuinely excited: Perhaps Mother Mother had solved the problem of creating indie rock without the usual pitfalls of being too generic or drawing on too many sounds without creating a distinct fusion. This belief even continued through the first half of the first track, "Chasing It Down." This first verse and chorus truly was better than expected and surprisingly enjoyable indie rock.

Then the song and album went haywire. When reviewing a record, I usually try to find the influences of other bands. There was definitely no shortage in this album. Blitzen Trapper? Check. The Apples in stereo? Yep. Queen? Unfortunately, yes again. Like so many others before them, Mother Mother fell prey to the desire to "be different" by toying with different styles. Chaos, in the form of Eureka, ensued. The high point comes with the middle tracks "Simply Simple" and "Problems," where the band creates good, not-too-specific hard(er) rock. You know it's bad, though, when your strong tracks are nothing short of common and forgettable.