If only parents the world over knew the impact their record collection will have on their children then perhaps they would think twice about what music to listen to. You hear stories of expectant mothers playing Mozart and Beethoven in close proximity of their swollen tummies in the hope that the complex arrangements will somehow boost brain activity so when the baby finally pops out he – or she – are geniuses.
The music world is full of stories of “my first introduction to music was my Dad’s Johnny Cash records” or “I grew up listening to my mums Fleetwood Mac LP’s” but fast forward twenty or thirty years and the artists from the 60’s and 70’s are then replaced by artists from the 80’s and 90’s and this is where the inspiration for Dutch outfit Mozes and the Firstborn’s recent album – cleverly entitled ‘Dadcore’ – comes from. It’s a homage to the records their parents owned and listened to and there must be some pretty good albums within those collections because you can hear the inspiration of grunge and garage immediately.
It’s as if somebody has opened the lid on the blender, tossed in some Radiohead, Weezer, REM and a heavy dose of Eels, added a pinch of Sugar Ray and a smidge of Sheryl Crow and cautiously had a sip and discovered that this type of music is still popular. The overall sound of the album is a garage band let loose, presenting their album as a mix tape (the album is available to buy in cassette form), there are odd sounds and feedback, a track that lasts less than ten seconds, slight changes in volume that reinforces the mix tape theme and shows there are some clever ideas within these four musicians.
I like albums like this, it feels like an audio sketch pad of ideas and inspirations that aren’t restricted to the three-minute rock song but can be whatever best suits the idea. Pink Floyd’s The Wall has a lot to answer for with audio snippets of people talking or radio shows playing (again simulating an ever-changing mix tape) and is refreshing to hear something different from a ten-track album.
If you like any of the bands I’ve mentioned in this review, the chances are you’ll like this album, it really is that simple. The songs are strong, the idea is cleverly pitched and on the right side of gimmicky and the band do a good job of doing what they do but parents, be warned, step away from that teeny pop album, if you want your children to play good music, let them hear good music!
