In this postmodern age, it's sometimes hard to tell the difference between a brilliant, faithfully executed parody and the real thing (see: Die Antwoord) — and that's exactly the case with Bad's self-titled debut. What is certain is that the album packs such a broad range of rock clichés into its 33-minute run time that it's hard to know what, exactly, the band is mocking, if that's even the case. There's the melodramatic touch of opening with a shouted a cappella poem, the Cheap Trick butt rock of "Where THE Bad Kids ARE," the Thriller-type Dracula breakdown in "When I Die." Carter James's vocals sound like a combination of an opera-singer spoof and the B-52s' Fred Schneider. A couple of songs traffic in sad-key, Alanis Morissette-style piano ballads. It's a glorious, confusing mess, and it all adds up to a wink and a nod...or maybe it doesn't.
Geez, can the age of the hipster be over now? I love how people lament the state of music. If you liked things so much better 10, 20 or 30 years ago, then why don't you build a fucking time machine? Or better yet, you could just listen to the stuff you like, and stop imposing your taste on everyone else.
I for one am excited that young musicians are daring to try something a bit outside the box. BAD's music doesn't always work, but at least they didn't start yet another sound alike hardcore band or half-assed indie Joy Division knockoff like so many others in our fair city.
Kevin Patrick 07/10/2010 6:18:00 AM
In the age of modern rock its rare to find a band with the drive and vision of those who came before us. A first listen to Bad not only confirms but worsens my fears on this art we hold so dearly. It seems the youthfull agression of rock and roll is lost on chessy opera, mall trendy scrafs, and so called visonaries with no vision what so ever out side of MTV. The only good thing i can say about BAD is boy does there name fit, only its not only BAD its SAD.
Ty Bray 07/09/2010 12:56:00 AM
One of my best friends is Alex Ungerman (far right of the album cover) and although I support him in all of his musical endeavors, I was NOT a fan of Bad. I was relinquished of my friendly responsibility to support Bad when Alex was kicked out of the band. Aaron Long, front man of Bad, is a egotistical self proclaimed prophet of what the music scene is, needs, and is about to be. All bias aside, Alex was kicked out of bad over a petty dispute, involving his work schedule and his lack of having internet while his house was being worked on. So not only are they a sub-par band, their front man is a Grade A douche. They are not a parody band, they are a failed attempt at a rock opera with a "new sound with the influence of familiarity" - a quote from Long. With the loss of their most talented musician they have become a TRULY mediocre bass player, a singer with a voice that makes you feel awkward and uncomfortable and a so-called musical visionary with little to no creativity.
