Album Review: The Orwells – Terrible Human Beings

If not an adage, then it certainly rings true that it’s not always a question of what you put out as a band, but when.

When it comes to timing, then, you’d easily be forgiven for thinking a raucous garage rock outfit of The Orwells calibre have an opportunity as golden as the handrails of Trump Tower right now with the release of ‘Terrible Human Beings’.

It may just come with a twinge of disappointment, then, that what can be heard here is an entirely passable but otherwise unremarkable third outing by the controversy-courting Chicago rockers.

That’s not to say this is a record without plenty of merit; radio-friendly opener ‘They Put A Body in the Bayou’ plays entirely to Mario Cuomo’s strengths as a howling vocalist, and boasts a refrain that comes close to rivalling their signature song ‘Who Needs You’ from their previous record Disgraceland in terms of sheer catchiness.

Elsewhere, the late ‘80s-early ‘90s alt-rock influences are worn with pride, even to the point of lampshading the comparisons to Pixies that have followed them from their very first record in ‘Black Francis’, an as overt-as-they-come but well-executed tribute to the frontman.

Musically, ‘Heavy Head’ perhaps ranks as the most interesting track, breaking from the often predictable song structure and general much-of-a-muchness of the record to provide a more melodic and sharpened feel.

We’re also treated to one of the richer fruits of the album at the end in ‘Double Feature’, the instantly catchy refrain of which gives way to some interesting instrumentation to round it all off.

But, irritating as it is to say, there’s something about this record that just doesn’t quite stick. It’s a commendable effort, a worthy listen, and a great incentive to see what is an unmissable live show – but to its pity falls just short of being the album The Orwells still seem fully capable of producing.