Drops: Tapes 'N Tapes meanders 'Outside'

Album / CD art cover titled "Outside" by Tapes 'n... — Album / CD art cover titled "Outside" by Tapes 'n Tapes . Credit: None/

By GLENN GAMBOAglenn.gamboa@newsday.comJanuary 10, 2011

It's been five years since Tapes 'N Tapes rode the then-new blogosphere-built buzz from Minnesota obscurity to indie-rock "it" band status for its debut "The Loon."

But that particular rocket ride doesn't last long (Right, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah?), and Tapes 'N Tapes fell to earth with quite a thud on 2008's about-face "Walk It Off."

Maybe that's why their new effort "Outside" (Ibid) sounds a bit like the band is meandering around dazed and confused.

The opener "Badaboom" sets up an interesting mix of parameters for the album, like the band is going to try to blaze its own trail between Radiohead austerity and Talking Heads world-beat weirdness.

Sometimes, they veer close to the Radiohead border (especially on "Outro"), and sometimes they samba over to the Heads' side. The horn-filled, groovy "One in the World," where Josh Grier wonders, "Where is my heart? Is it in San Jose?" is especially David Byrne-ish.

Then, there's the Wilco-meets-Afghan Whigs surprise that is "The Saddest of All Keys." It's both crafty and well-crafted, showing that the creative flame that generated so much heat on "The Loon" hasn't burned out.

However, sometimes it does seem like Tapes 'N Tapes isn't quite sure what to do with it. "Outside" does sound a bit lost, with too many styles pulling in different directions, but the band does unearth some gems in their travels.