ALBUM REVIEW: Cute Is What We Aim For
- Posted on July 18, 2008 11:53 AM
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Cute Is What We Aim For
Rotation
By Gareth Thomas
Having endured widespread criticism regarding their first album, CIWWAF’s second release, inevitably, catches the late train of pop-punk maturity. After parting ways with previous producer Matt Squire, Cute identified Goldfinger member John Feldmann as the band’s revivalist. The influence is clear. Indeed, the album virtually emulates Goldfinger’s discography onto one twelve track record. Although healthier than their prior release, front-man Hacikyan and co struggle to produce a record capable of reaching the heights of their emo-esque, American counterparts. Whilst the likes of Fallout Boy and Panic adapt to the contemporary demands of diversity, CIWWAF tend to lack the originality and ingenuity that allows the heavyweights to retain their dominance within the pop-punk arena.
Admittingly, members of ‘the scene’ will unreservedly purchase the album, enjoying aspects of Cute’s efforts. ‘Practice Makes Perfect’ signifies the musical progression from their debut, soon introducing the sardonic infectiousness of second track ‘Doctor’. Notably, ‘Hollywood’ laments the period in which “singers wrote songs instead of hooks”, perhaps an ironic recognition of the genre’s, and conceivably even music’s, increasing impassiveness. Throughout the album, CIWWAF have crafted emo-based melodies pertaining to the greatest anxieties of the teenage years. Drinking, relationships, meeting the requirements of the in-group: it’s all here. This Topman-friendly record will undoubtedly be embraced by the MySpace generation of skinny jeans, arm-shot camera pictures, and askew fringes.
Yet, from a personal perspective, Cute’s attempts fall short of maintaining a permanent slot on my mp3 player. Little emerges as innovative; many folk blindfolded and played Hit The Lights or Before Their Eyes may fail to distinguish which band is actually gracing the jukebox. I’m sure there’s much to relish for the 13 year olds kissing their Pete Wendtz posters goodnight. As for yours truly, it’s too familiar. Maybe it’s my belated maturity; maybe it’s my contempt for the era of emo, circa 2008. Maybe it’s my nostalgic recollection of this music going against, rather than conforming, to the norm.
One can, without difficulty, recognise how Cute’s album appeals to its target audience. Whatever Hacikyan and his band-mates have aimed for, it’s cute. As for me, the bandwagon’s very much full. Not to say I wasn’t entertained; spelling ‘EGGSHELL’ on my desk-bound calculator provided a brief amusement. But if one craves the contemporary pop-punk genre amid a collection of universal hooks, I’ll gladly send my copy of the album through to you.
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