Capsule Reviews: Opposite Day and The Loose Salute

Opposite Day Safety First (Eat A Finger Peach Look Music): Austinites Opposite Day have been cranking out weirdo punk music for six years now, and Safety First is the band's third album, which makes them "official." Like most punk bands, the majority of songs last around two to three minutes. And while Opposite Day is definitely punk, the album's 17 tracks explore motley styles, ranging from hardcore to acoustic to experimental to Incubus-esque, all with silly and strange lyrics, which is why they call themselves "absurdist." The bass is, of course, a key element in Safety First, although sometimes it's a little too high and sometimes a little too funky and sometimes just immature. "Laurentide" surprisingly brings a bit more pop and accessibility, and "Astronomy Overflowed" carries a Simon-and-Garfunkel vocal style over a guitar that trickles like a gentle stream.

Opposite Day on MySpace
Opposite Day Official Site

The Loose Salue Tuned To Love (Graveface Records): This album could not begin on a better note. "Death Club" immediately disarms with its bells, its Beach Boys aesthetic and soft, Brian Wilson vocals; it rounds out with a rather pleasant country twang in the style of The Thrills. But then the dream is gone, and an overly dramatic, even breathy, self-aware female vocalist dominates most of the album. Sure, her voice could be compared to Jenny Lewis, but the way she sings can grate on the ears. Aside from her voice and including the tracks with the male vocalist, Tuned To Love is a pretty endearing mix of country and twee pop, somewhere in between Camera Obscura and Calexico. However, the album gets negative points for the song "Why'd We Fight?" which is, in fact, as lame as it sounds. Please note The Loose Salute's excellent effort to include all folk/country/pop/rock instruments in this album, including the vibra-slap (ref. Cake).

The Loose Salute on MySpace
The Loose Salute Official Site