ZapTown

Brock Enright and Kirsten Deirup
Torben
Factory 25
Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Link: http://www.factorytwentyfive.com/torben/

Don’t you hate it when you have an album you think you really like, but there are a few songs that really get under your skin, and taints your viewpoint because you know that from here on out, you will have to fast forward through those songs each and every time.

I think for the Brock Enright and Kirsten Deirup album Torben, it’s acting as a split album when not intentionally to be one. “Side A” — as this is to be released on vinyl — is Brock Enright doing his artistic thing. The man has had installation exhibits in places like MoMa, so you can imagine his eclecticism. However, you hear “maybe” and run wild,” and they both are not that far out there, and does not reach beyond the simplicities of indie pop. It’s the same things you hear in bands like Freelance Whales or Sleepy Sun.

But their are songs that make you have to check what you are listening to because it’s not the pseudo-impressive indie pop you just heard. “doowopcat” sounds like someone who desired to turn Dr. Seuss into an indie pop opus. “Readyforyou” makes it worse because it just sounds like a variation of “doowopcat.” And that really stinks because I had high hopes.

Not even “Side B” can save it because now it’s Kirsten Deirup doing lullabyes. So what if their son (named Torben) was the catalyst for this songs, you hear “ouijaboard,” and that song with her trying to vocally imitate a child makes you want to rip out your throat and beg her to use yours instead.

“Tryinghard” is okay, but for seven plus minutes, the weight of the song bears down on you. At least they get it right for the final song, “lullabye,” and ambient dream-like vocal piece that may mistify the album’s existence, but it won’t save the problems Torben creates.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.0MB)