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Review
If it's a pleasantly summery sound you're after while the sun beats down–best not get too used to it, eh?–then you could do a lot worse than seek out the second album from Californian quartet The Morning Benders. Splicing Beach Boys harmonies with the indie-folk mutterings of Grizzly Bear–imagine the New Yorkers had recorded Veckatimest on the west, rather than the east, coast–Big Echo is an immediate, inviting listen. It's not breaking any boundaries of inspired expression, but for what it is it's a fine set indeed.
The record starts wonderfully, the strings of Excuses swelling like shore-kissing waves ripe for riding. From here the band coasts to solid ground, Promises rather more steady of footing and stirring thoughts of the gently rocking likes of Band of Horses and Midlake, assuming the members of both had replaced their naval-gazing introspective tendencies for a sound rather more bubbly and boisterous. That's not to say there isn't a tenderness on display, especially when frontman Chris Chu lets lyrically loose about regretting growing up too fast–but unlike the indie-folk luminaries of the contemporary landscape, The Morning Benders aren't getting lost in melancholy. Theirs is an outlook largely of optimism, and it's well suited to accessible arrangements that waste little time in establishing their direction.
When the record slows–as on the sublime Pleasure Sighs and Stitches–the Grizzly Bear parallel is at its most apparent. The connection goes behind the scenes, too–Grizzly Bear bassist Chris Taylor produces. The Morning Benders' ability to shuffle their stylistic pack is well accomplished, though, as at times they recall the easy-going rock-outs of Weezer as heard through a Vampire Weekend filter–the brief but bouncy Cold War is a case in point. But despite the inherent accessibility exhibited throughout Big Echo, the album doesn't linger long in the memory; there are intermittent moments of true sing-along potential, but the overall feeling is that this band is still a work in progress, and that their best material will arrive in another album's time. It's strange given the hefty hooks within this collection, but the instant-hits don't translate into long-term stereo fixtures.
Perhaps the marketplace is too crowded at present for Big Echo to shine as widely as it could. Perhaps these songs simply lack the legs to go the distance, despite a prettiness that should be of mass appeal. Whatever the reason, The Morning Benders aren't quite there yet. But they're firmly in control of where it is they want to go, so fireworks next time around shouldn't be ruled out.
--Mike DiverFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Product Description
Shiny 2010 album! Anthemic indie-pop 'n' collegiate wit outta San Francisco, for fans of The Shins and Brian Wilson. Co-produced by Chris Taylor from Grizzly Bear!
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Audio CD
It takes a couple of listens to even start appreciating all the layers in this album, but you'll find that it's full of great guitar licks, interesting lyrics and nice harmonies. It's just all-round excellent.
8 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
3.5 stars
In the history of great band names "The Morning Benders" would struggle to make the top 10,000, that said their album "Big Echo" on the Rough Trade label is very enjoyable and well worth checking out. The Morning Benders are from Berkeley, California and consist of Julian Harmon, Tim Or, and Chris Chu. They specialise in a electic mix of 1950s pop balladry combined with a Shins like pop sensibility and are expertly produced by Grizzly Bear multi-instrumentalist Chris Taylor for good measure (albeit perhaps a little bit too much in his own bands image). The result is an album that is unfailingly bright, upbeat and sunny and the influence of our good friend Brian Wilson pervades without overwhelming. There are multi layers to be found on this album after repeated listens and many hidden depths.
The Big Echo starts brilliantly with two strongest songs on the album. "Excuses" would not be out of place in played at a 1950s high dance with only the heavily strummed acoustic guitar in the background giving always its contemporary feel. The vocals are almost doo wop in origin and echoes of the Flamingoes, The Dells and The Coasters abound. Check it out you will love it. Second up is "Promises" which has much more of that ambience on it that Grizzly Bear captured on "Two Weeks" from Veckatimest, it shuffles along beautifully and builds to a excellent huge crescendo as lead singer Chris Chu announces "that I cant help but thinking we grew up to fast". Next up is the gently rolling "Wet Cement" a lovely slow gentle slice of Baroque pop which is hugely commercial. Track 4 "Cold War" is great but at 1.44 minutes it finishes far too soon and while "Hand me downs" is playful enough the album has a slightly soggy middle and nothing to match the wonderful openers.
"All Day Daylight" lifts the album and is the most rock orientated song on the Big Echo albeit with lyrics that could have been sung by the Beach Boys combined with a swagger which is the property of the band. Unfortunately other songs like "Mason Jar" sound a little bit too much like Grizzly Bear circa "Yellow House (In another setting like Grizzly Bear they have also covered Paul Simon's "Mother and Child Reunion" although Edward Droste and co so radically de construct it that it is almost unrecognisable). Likewise the final track 'Sleepin' In' is well titled since it has a bit of a night nurse effect.
"Big Echo" then starts off with a sprint but by the end the band are somewhat out of breath. It really is a game of two halves, which is a shame since the best bits of this album are truly great. Still it is the age of the download and you can be assured that of the songs mentioned that your I Pod will gratefully receive them.
PS this review rating has been "upped" for the the MBs cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" not on the album but well worth checking out.
In the history of great band names "The Morning Benders" would struggle to make the top 10,000, that said their album "Big Echo" on the Rough Trade label is very enjoyable and well worth checking out. The Morning Benders are from Berkeley, California and consist of Julian Harmon, Tim Or, and Chris Chu. They specialise in a electic mix of 1950s pop balladry combined with a Shins like pop sensibility and are expertly produced by Grizzly Bear multi-instrumentalist Chris Taylor for good measure (albeit perhaps a little bit too much in his own bands image). The result is an album that is unfailingly bright, upbeat and sunny and the influence of our good friend Brian Wilson pervades without overwhelming. There are multi layers to be found on this album after repeated listens and many hidden depths.
The Big Echo starts brilliantly with two strongest songs on the album. "Excuses" would not be out of place in played at a 1950s high dance with only the heavily strummed acoustic guitar in the background giving always its contemporary feel. The vocals are almost doo wop in origin and echoes of the Flamingoes, The Dells and The Coasters abound. Check it out you will love it. Second up is "Promises" which has much more of that ambience on it that Grizzly Bear captured on "Two Weeks" from Veckatimest, it shuffles along beautifully and builds to a excellent huge crescendo as lead singer Chris Chu announces "that I cant help but thinking we grew up to fast". Next up is the gently rolling "Wet Cement" a lovely slow gentle slice of Baroque pop which is hugely commercial. Track 4 "Cold War" is great but at 1.44 minutes it finishes far too soon and while "Hand me downs" is playful enough the album has a slightly soggy middle and nothing to match the wonderful openers.
"All Day Daylight" lifts the album and is the most rock orientated song on the Big Echo albeit with lyrics that could have been sung by the Beach Boys combined with a swagger which is the property of the band. Unfortunately other songs like "Mason Jar" sound a little bit too much like Grizzly Bear circa "Yellow House (In another setting like Grizzly Bear they have also covered Paul Simon's "Mother and Child Reunion" although Edward Droste and co so radically de construct it that it is almost unrecognisable). Likewise the final track 'Sleepin' In' is well titled since it has a bit of a night nurse effect.
"Big Echo" then starts off with a sprint but by the end the band are somewhat out of breath. It really is a game of two halves, which is a shame since the best bits of this album are truly great. Still it is the age of the download and you can be assured that of the songs mentioned that your I Pod will gratefully receive them.
PS this review rating has been "upped" for the the MBs cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" not on the album but well worth checking out.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
10 reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Excellent pop/something more
9 Mar 2010
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Morning Benders' Big Echo is both accessible and elusive. Much of the songwriting is simple: beautifully and thoughtfully crafted melodies sung beautifully, seamless transitions, etc. But the final products become much, much more. Every song is extremely layered, offering the listener a chance to discover something new even after multiple listenings. Ultimately, what results is a contrast between the songwriting and arrangements/production that pushes the listening experience into a different, more complex event. Definitely one of the best albums I've heard in a long time, and I look forward to listening to it for years to come.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Spatial Experimentation at its finest
11 Mar 2010
Format:Audio CD
Chris Chu started the Morning Benders as a solo project, recording his first EP, Loose Change, completely on his own. As a student at Berkeley in California, Chris soon joined forces with classmates Julian Harmon, Joe Ferrell, and Tim Or. The band's second EP, Boarded Doors, was released in 2007 and was received well by local publications, but still failed to gain much interest outside of the Bay Area. After taking a studio job to help finance a full length record, the band released Talking Through Tin Cans in 2008. With Chu handling most of the production and editing with the help of producer and engineer Patrick Brown, the new album garnered a surprising amount of success and was even named by iTunes as the best indie/alternative album of 2008.
Now, two years later, The Morning Benders are at it again; this time with more attention paid to the sounds and effects in the background while still maintaining their focus on the intoxicating melodies. One of Chu's goals for the record was to expand the band's sound in a style similar to Phil Spector's "wall of sound." The first track, "Excuses," does just that with a host of new instrumentation. Additionally, the album title, Big Echo, fits these new ideals beautifully. The band sounds much fuller with this release and a great deal of the credit should go to the reverb and echo that keep the listener's ears busy while also craving more.
Although "Excuses" is the clear single, the remainder of Big Echo flows brilliantly together. On slower tracks like "Pleasure Sighs" and "Mason Jar," the decreased tempos are balanced by increased dynamic range. It may sound experimental to some, but Chris Chu has clearly thought everything through on this record. Comparisons were drawn to the Beach Boys on their first album and while there are still a few glimpses of Brian Wilson's trademark magic hidden in the mix, The Morning Benders have created a sound that is very much their own and will please both independent and mainstream markets.
Similar Artists: The Shins, the Beach Boys, Vampire Weekend
Track Suggestion: Excuses
Now, two years later, The Morning Benders are at it again; this time with more attention paid to the sounds and effects in the background while still maintaining their focus on the intoxicating melodies. One of Chu's goals for the record was to expand the band's sound in a style similar to Phil Spector's "wall of sound." The first track, "Excuses," does just that with a host of new instrumentation. Additionally, the album title, Big Echo, fits these new ideals beautifully. The band sounds much fuller with this release and a great deal of the credit should go to the reverb and echo that keep the listener's ears busy while also craving more.
Although "Excuses" is the clear single, the remainder of Big Echo flows brilliantly together. On slower tracks like "Pleasure Sighs" and "Mason Jar," the decreased tempos are balanced by increased dynamic range. It may sound experimental to some, but Chris Chu has clearly thought everything through on this record. Comparisons were drawn to the Beach Boys on their first album and while there are still a few glimpses of Brian Wilson's trademark magic hidden in the mix, The Morning Benders have created a sound that is very much their own and will please both independent and mainstream markets.
Similar Artists: The Shins, the Beach Boys, Vampire Weekend
Track Suggestion: Excuses
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
GREAT album!!
29 Sep 2010
Format:Audio CD
A friend of mine shared this album with me and I fell in love. Never had heard of them previously. The sounds are beautiful, upbeat, and fun to listen to. Perfect for a party, work out, or chill out time! Definitely recommend!
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