MOVIE REVIEW: Format is decent, but overproduced
Grade: B-
The Format’s first and only album, “Interventions and Lullabies,” released in the fall of 2003 under the Elektra label, is a diverse, but overproduced medley of music that fits in between the categories of indie-rock, alternative and pop.
The up-and-coming group that will play in Logan Thursday night at the Funpark is originally from Arizona and has recently made an impact in music and radio scenes around Phoenix and is now taking its music across the country.
The first track on the album, conveniently titled “The First Single,” kicks off with upbeat percussion remnant of ’80s pop music, mixes it with acoustic guitar and clear vocals and then moves into a catchy chorus complemented with a handclap. All this creates an easy and light feel for effortless listening and the rest of the album seems to follow this format. Band members call their sound Desert Pop.
The group members enlisted veteran producer R. Walt Vincent, who has worked with Liz Phair and Pete Yorn. Yet it is their easy sound and squeaky clean production which is their weakness. Everything is so controlled and even-paced, the album is completely void of anything raw, edgy or groundbreaking.
Furthermore, the beginning of certain tracks are often great and pull you in fast, but let go after ditching what you first heard or never changing throughout the entire song. Track five, “Tune Out” begins with unique vocals and guitar similar to ’70s rock band Electric Light Orchestra, but then quickly turns away into something else.
Yet, the album does show plenty of talent. The mix of piano, vocals, acoustic and electric guitars and even a bit of banjo comes naturally to this band.
Remember Tal Bachman a couple years back? It’s kind of like that. Good music, great talent, but just not satisfying enough.
However, The Format’s album might not reflect how they play live, at least according to opinions of fans’ messages posted on www.elektra.com.
“From the opinion of a boy from South Dakota The Format is the best thing Arizona’s got,” said David Werner, who saw the band in Tempe, Ariz. “I would have to say that they are the greatest live band I have ever seen and I have seen some greats.”
He mentioned a list of bands from Incubus to Ben Harper.
And for a band coming to Logan, that sounds impressive.
Joel Featherstone is a junior majoring broadcast journalism. Comments may be sent to joelfeathers@cc.usu.edu.