The Beets – Spit In The Face Of People Who Don't Want To Be Cool [Review]

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It’s understandable that in 2010, the idea of a band being lo-fi might ring a bit false. With the ascension of band’s like Vivian Girls, Wavves and No Age, to be in a band identified as lo-fi (or, even worse, “shit-gaze”) is in some circles equivalent to being in a dance-punk band in 2003 or Sebadoh in 1991. Not a good business decision so to speak. And while lo-fi will always rub some the wrong way, it will also always find an audience with those who value youthful enthusiasm over chops.

To that end, The Beets’ “Spit In The Face Of People Who Don’t Want To Be Cool” is a record that is bound to attract its fair share of admirers and detractors. Full of ramshackle stand up drumming, spare guitar, and an outlook that can best be summed up as “truculent,” Spit In The Face is at it’s best when the band’s carefree attitude doesn’t get in the way of the songs. In many ways, the Beets’ remind one of the Violent Femmes on their first record, or the Feelies without the Glenn Mercer guitar heroics. The songs are little more than playground chants about hating school, being confused, and hanging out with your friends.

For You is the standout track here, an awkward and touching statement of loyalty and friendship that lolls along at a breezy pace over Juan’s (no last name’s here folks) skeletal acoustic guitar and thudding floor toms. “No Blood” also reveals itself to be a charming ditty, with all three band members singing to create a schoolyard chorus of mild disaffection.

Elsewhere the band picks up the pace on tracks like Go Away and What Did I Do, lending these songs a Bo-Diddley or early Fall feel (think “Container Drivers” or most of the Slates EP). Some have called Spit In The Face monotonous and disengaged, and they could be right. But the Beets don’t seem to give a shit, and that, in it’s own way, is kind of cool.

Editor’s Note: Sorry, this is not the band from Doug. We will review that album next week.