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Ex Norwegian
Standby
Dying Van Gogh
Naming themselves after a Monty Python episode was a good start for the Miami-based outfit Ex Norwegian. However, their debut album, Standby, is not without problems. There are some standout tracks here, but also some that fall flat. The first track "Fujeira In My Dreams," leads the former category, with its catchy beat and hard-edged vocals by lead singer Robert Houdaille. Meanwhile, the driving guitars of "Something Unreal" are highlighted by an acoustic intro and handclaps. It's a shame that Michelle Grand is only a part-time member of the band, as she shines on lead vocals with the upbeat "Fresh Pit." "Add Vice" features an almost irritatingly infectious chorus of "I'm in love with you," repeated over and over again, but it still manages to charm. "Gross You" features gorgeous Simon and Garfunkel-like vocal harmonies, but in the stylings of an 80's power ballad. On the other side, you have the overblown "Pow3rful" and so-bad-its-almost-funny "Dance Trance Pants," both of which beg the question: can a horrible song title ruin a song? In this case, the songs are as ridiculous as their names suggest. Likewise, "My Name is Paul" is lyrically simplistic, overusing words that rhyme with Paul ("My name is Paul, I'm 10 foot tall" and "My name is Paul together we fall"). The good tracks outnumber the bad here and suggest a band that could grow into something great. Still, Standby just doesn't seem worth the cost of a whole album. Wait and see what they come up with next.
—Jessica Simons
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