Fortunately, the music still sounds like its aiming at the scene’s original target of non-conformity. Especially when you have The Standard’s new album “Albatross” in your speakers.The Standard, although somewhat guilty of the conformity that plagues this scene, takes the limits and expands them a little wider. Taking the vibe of Modest Mouse and making it more mature and refined, this Portland, OR-based band adds pianos and synths to their mix.
“A Curtain Drawn” is probably the best track on the album, with a hybridization of ethereal electro-punk and Ramones-style rock rhythms. Tim Putnam’s lyrics are softly spoken smidgens of truth, albeit as subjective and introspective as any emo-band could utter. “So I fell deeper into who I’m with / because it’s the best thing I ever did/ and as I pushed back into my skin / I fell deeper into who I’m with” sings the chorus of “Not Asleep”.
It’s the gems like “Closed Rooms,” though, that explain why The Standard has come so far without the representation of a single record label. Having released three albums over the last six years on various labels, The Standard skirts the line between genres, offering the chance to hear creative compositions that have no carbon copy or triplicate forms.
“Albatross” is a perfect example of this, as the music combines the best of rock influences from prog, emo, and singer/songwriters, shaken and stirred, to end up as a real smooth martini, even if it does have the tendency to make you act a little out of character for the evening.
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