Indie pop rock
On the tail end of a trend made famous by post-punk indie rock bands like Fall Out Boy, the Ontario-based group, The Sitcom, is going up to bat with their debut full-length record, “Eisoptrophobia”. With cited influences ranging from the The Beach Boys to The Smashing Pumpkins, you can’t be certain what you’re going to hear from song to song.
So the first question that probably comes to mind is what is eisoptrophobia? It is the fear of gazing into mirrors. Unfortunately, that is the advice I must give this band after listening to the record – they need to take a long, hard look in the mirror and re-evaluate their musical direction. I just don’t see “Eisoptrophobia” taking them anywhere – it is not necessary a bad record, but it is plagued with forgettable songs and does nothing to stand out of the crowd. Plus, I think the whole post-punk trend is quickly being ushered out the door, and The Sitcom gives us no reason to reconsider welcoming it back into the house.
Some cool things about this band that suggest potential – the lyrics and good, and often wry and witty as evidenced by song titles like “The World Ends Pretty Hilariously” and “How A French Girl Rolls”. The vocals are solid, and the band knows harmonies are a good thing. The problem is that the harmonies are just all over the place, making them a distraction rather than a synergistic element to augment the lead. There are also a couple of fillers – commercials, if you will – that make this sitcom drag, such as “The Snake Song” and “Hell Is Close”. To my ears, the strongest cut on this record is the halfway melodic “Sorrow In Pavement”.
Check out The Sitcom if you like Fall Out Boy, Panic At The Disco, or Modest Mouse. “Eisoptrophobia” is available now.
The Sitcom on MySpace. Facebook.
Listen to “Sorrow In Pavement”
