Big Business does show at bit of a weakness for the ill-advised sprawling tracks explored in their debut Head for the Shallow and continued in Waterworks, which might inspire the listener to give in to the temporary glaze of near-boredom, particularly during the last two tracks – the aforementioned “I’ll Give You Something to Cry About” and “Another Beautiful Day.” However, these moments are few and far between and there are some highlights worth mentioning: “Start Your Digging” has a feint riff-rock grooviness, and the lead track “Just as the Day was Dawning” busts you right in your semi-ironic mutton-chops.
While it never reaches the singular apex of the Head for the Shallow track “Focus Pocus” — with all of it’s paranoid tough-guy posturing — Here Come the Waterworks is a solid, uncontrived effort. It lacks slightly in nuance, which isn’t entirely a bad thing considering this album is being released in a year preceded by exaggerated metal bands like Boris and Isis woefully and confusingly reaching many critics best-of lists. It’s good to hear a band lay down some tracks without pretension, even if it is over well-trod ground. After all, “new” and “diff’rn’t” doesn’t always equal “good” or “inna-resting.”
That said, the curious listener might be better off diving into Head for the Shallow before fully immersing yourself in Waterworks.
.jpg?t=20120527181101)
Article comments
1 - jerry
solid review for sure..definitely will have to check these guys out. I know that they recently went on the road with Mastodon so that's definitely a plus.
2 - Party Fernandez
Hey Jerry,
actually they've never toured with Mastadon. They have toured with, and are IN (as mentioned), the Melvins. maybe that's what you meant.
also, i think this album is brilliant. the vocals are haunting, almost like an opera performed by the dead. the drumming is jaw-droppingly good and the songs as a whole make you wanna pump your fist, almost in an Andrew WK "get wet" kinda way...without sounding at all the same. don't ask, just go buy it.