Machu Picchu

So another album review from yet another indie band


Dutch Uncles – Cadenza

Cadenza is the ‘first’ album from Dutch Uncles and as Cadenza means a dramatic flourish of accomplished musicians and exceptional music I was expecting something special.
I say ‘first’ as Dutch Uncles were actually signed to an independent German label back in 2008 and released an album on the continent. Yes, I thought it a rather obscure beginning for a Mancunian indie band too. However, now back in Blighty and signed to Love and Disaster Records, Dutch Uncles are ready to release their first UK album.
Eleven three-minute songs of pure indie sounded right up my street but on reflection, I’m afraid I’ve heard it all before. Tight riffs and snappy lyrics with punchy drums are usually a pretty good combination – the killer combo has been proven time and time again. However, the reason indie music has lasted so long is that bands put their own stamp on the genre, something which has been missed by Dutch Uncles.
Highlights of the album are ‘X-O’ and ‘Fragrant’ which really show off lead singer Duncan’s tremendous voice. His voice and the whole band’s style in fact, echoes the likes of The Mystery Jets and Bombay Bicycle Club. And in that is what is most frustrating about this album. It isn’t a bad album, not by any means - it’s just nowhere near good enough to compete with its peers. Whilst listening to the album for the first time all I could think of was Two Door Cinema Club, Egyptian Hip Hop and Everything Everything. And there are serious questions to be raised when your album sounds like an uninspired version of three other brilliant albums.
Cadenza is a copy cat album bringing little originality to the table. There’s no stop-and-take-note element to this album. I mean, I didn't even notice the album had looped over until I was on track 5 again. These days with the sheer volume of music that is around, you have to stand out. The spark and unique point about this band is missing – using obscure time signatures just isn’t enough to get you heard.
All in all, if you want non-descript indie which is pleasant enough for background music then Cadenza will be right up your street. However, for something a bit more special and memorable, look to any of the other bands mentioned above.
It’s fair to say I had high hopes for this album - an edgy five piece from Manchester pounding out the indie should have been great. Unfortunately it turned out to be just another indie album to toss on the scrap heap.


Rx