Dutch Uncles The Ink

Between 2009 and 2011, traditional indie rock "˜n roll generally felt to me... well, a bit dry. There, I said it. Perhaps it was the move towards a more serious point in life, or over-listening to every punk-esque tune I loved as a teenager. Somehow though, those loud, reckless, unabashed guitars lost their appeal.

I guess it would be typical of me to like Dutch Uncles because, as I notice has become quite common with my posts, the artists are from England. But, I tell you reader, what this band fails to give me in geographical variance they more than make up for in returning my faith in all things loud and jumpy.

However, Dutch Uncles formed their sound in Germany, where they ended up as teenagers recording artists for a German label. But, on their return to England they signed to Memphis Industries, and must have seen some musical light that hadn't thus far blessed them, because they produced this: Cadenza.

Now, Cadenza is interesting -- and indeed so is the band, because each member seems to play against (and in opposition to) one another. This is a fractious record. It flies off in different directions, time signatures, and keys. There is no knowing where each track will head. On the title tune, an awkward, ill-fitting guitar lick rattles along throughout, while singer Duncan Wallis adds a vocal swooning style that... errr... doesn't really fit the music.

If you're wondering why that would ever sound appealing, then listen to "The Ink," a more uneasy and heavy track, but one that gets the listener caught up in all sorts of intriguing and catchy nooks and crannies. There is an unusual slant on all things pop and rock to Dutch Uncles. Like Foals, The Young Knives, and Field Music, traditional 4-4 rhythms are put through a rusty old mangle and come out looking and smelling weird, but somehow, also brilliantly wonderful.

Clever, upbeat, and at times incoherent, Dutch Uncles' Cadenza reminds me of what I missed about determined, catchy guitar music: something unexpected.