Reviewed :: Big Troubles - Worry

Over the next couple of weeks we will be focusing on our favorite releases of the last 12 months, just like every other blog, site, and music outlet in the free world. But before we get all Top 20 of 2010 on your collective asses, we wanted to dedicate some time to file our last edition of Reviewed for this year.

Over the last couple of years we've noticed a crop of young bands revisiting the shoegazer sounds we totally fell for in the late 80's and early 90's. Some of these bands bring some fresh ideas and unique execution of those influences while other are merely retreads, yes I'm talking to you Beach Fossils. The best example of the former that we can think of comes from Ridgewood, New Jersey's Big Troubles and their debut LP Worry. The album was released back in September by Brooklyn's Olde English Spelling Bee Records and nearly a day has passed since then that we haven't felt the need to give it a spin.

Songwriters Alex Craig and Ian Drennan create a varied and captivating debut on Worry. While Craig delivers fuzzed out pop gems, Drennan turns the abrasion up to 11 for some warm and accessible lo-fi pop moments. You only have to hear about ten seconds of the opening track, Video Rock to pin point the bands love of shoegaze bands like My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain, but elsewhere on the album there are some obvious nods to 90's lo-fi heroes Guided By Voices as well the early recordings of Dinosaur Jr. Throughout Worry the band manages to create something bigger than the influences, something special, a noise pop juggernaut.

Tracks like Slouch and Freudian Slips display Craig/Drennan's knack for writing the perfect three minute pop song. Elsewhere Big Troubles enter quieter territory, but are no less captivating on the gorgeous, Georgia as well as the album closer, the spaced out and aptly titled Astrology Screen Savers.

To think that this is a starting point for this promising young band is a bit a mind blower, to release an album so completely satisfying as Worry on the first attempt is nothing short of astonishing. Please don't take our word for it, listen for yourself at the Big Troubles Bandcamp page, and relish the fuzzy pop bliss within.

Big Troubles - Freudian Slips