steering clear of the mainstream
since 2001

june 2010

review
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info opinion

Den of Size

"Flighty" CDR

Self-released

Genres: post-rock, electronic-rock, experimental pop

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Apr 5 - 11 2004

Den Of Size's Flighty took several listens to fully 'get', but I think I've figured it out now.  This album - consisting of nine decently long songs - is an experiment in cross-breeding electronica and rock music.  The results are not like anything you'd expect.  These unusual, frequently abstract songs have more in common with post-rock than with what is commonly known as "electro-pop."  As such, often the songs are boring and unstructured, which will offend both pop junkies and electronica lovers.

A major problem with Flighty is that it's very low on convincing melody.  With music that lacks structure, this fact may come as no surprise.  Right from the opener, an uncatchy, warbly space-ballad entitled "The Nina Complex vs. The Flounder," we can see this disc has some serious problems.  I can't see why anyone would want to listen to a song like this - it just isn't appealing.  The same goes for the boring "Sexy Directions" and the absolutely appalling "Sanskrit Truck". 

Fortunately, there are two exceptions to the rule.  "When Violence Calls" is a convincing and dark slice of ambient dream pop.  It is very pretty, and would make good mixtape material.  "Heavy Traffic" also boasts some neat melodies but suffers from being too repetitive and long.

All in all, this album suffers from being far too avant-garde for its own good.  Sure, some daring music is good, but not all ideas are worthwhile, and not all experiments work.

69%

Matt Shimmer

[Vitals: 9 tracks, distributed by the band, released 2003]