Dig into Content Nausea and extract all that Parquet Courts made to offer.
Parquet Courts have mastered the show biz theatrics and curve balls. First off, they cannot settle on a name. Their last album said Parquet Courts, now half of this one—Content Nausea—says Parkay Courts.
This is the band’s second album of the year, but they have managed to seclude themselves pretty well. The members of the band are known to avoid exposure and stay out of the limelight. This oddness translates to their music. It’s strange no doubt. But, strangeness can benefit artists in the music industry. After seeing them at Lollapalooza this past year I wasn’t sure what to think. But, after listening more and more Sunbathing Animal grew on me. I am not to that point yet with Content Nausea, but it is bound to happen.
My first impression was that the band has matured and learned to refine it’s sound. Austin Brown, the lead singer, has certainly fine-tuned his voice. Go figure, but the vocals are a little unconventional. Brown rotates between “talking” with instrumental backing and actually singing. Once again it grows on you. The guitar riffs consume you at times. Parquet Courts have added in an occasional synth—in their two shorts “No Concept” and “Urban Ease”. The lyrical and sound effect oddities are certainly back in full force. Listen to “Content Nausea” and “The Nap” if you are curious as to what I am referring to. Along with “Pretty Machines,” “Uncast Shadow of a Southern Myth” and “These Boots” are more conventionally structured, longer songs, so that may be a solid starting point for first time listeners.
Once again, this album has to grow on me. The more I listen to it though the more I love it. Dig into Content Nausea and extract all that Parquet Courts made to offer.
Recommended if you like : Eagulls, Ty Segall, Foxygen, Twin Peaks
Recommended tracks: “Pretty Machines,” “Psycho Structures,” “These Boots,” “Uncast Shadow of a Southern Myth,” and “Content Nausea”
Reviewed by Colin Smith January 16, 2015