Sophomore Slump To Blame For PUSA's II?
Written: Jul 31 '02 (Updated Aug 01 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Volcano, Mach 5, and a few others. Sense of humor.
Cons: Overall rather bland and repetitive
The Bottom Line: PUSA's debut not only sold better, it sounded better and was more entertaining. II is the work of a band hoping to strike gold again.
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| lambchops's Full Review: II by The Presidents Of The United States Of Ameri... |
With their tongues firmly lodged in cheek, the Presidents of the United States of America became a mainstay on rock radio and strangely even on MTV after the release of their eponymous indie debut in 1994 followed immediately by Columbia’s major label release in 1995.
PUSA (we’ll refer to the long-winded band by this name from now on) came into being somewhere around 1990. After years of demo tapes and some buzz around the rather fickle Seattle music scene, the three-man band managed to go double platinum with that aforementioned self-titled debut. From the beginning, their music was meant to be funny. Usually revolving around strange rock riffs, creatively constructed lyrics, and catchy melodies the songs were hits among many listeners and even some critics.
Chris Ballew (vocals, guitars), Dave Dederer (guitars), and Jason Finn (drummer) were forces to be reckoned with on songs like Peaches, Lump and Kitty among many other short, humorous tracks before they returned with a new album in 1996. II hit shelves in November of that year to quite a bit of fanfare. The album was a relative disappointment despite having a few bright spots in songs like Volcano and Mach 5.
In reality, PUSA (also referred to as POTUSA) proved to be nothing more than a somewhat talented one hit wonder. They lasted as a band for only a year following the release of II (though they did reform for long enough to release on 2000 album). On the whole, much of II is fine. There are some good tracks, but the majority seems to be a vain attempt to recapture the electricity that made their debut so entertaining and popular. At fourteen official tracks long (there is an untitled hidden song tacked on to the end), the album becomes tired and repetitive as it draws to a close. For fans of the first album, it’s best that PUSA be remembered for their more luminous songs rather than this troublesome piece of work.
I really want to love II. The first song, Ladies and Gentlemen Part I is promising enough. It’s not brilliant by a long shot but it does lay down a foundation for what could be a decent album. What follows is the wholly forgettable and lackluster Lunatic For Love. The track has an interesting pace, but it jumps around and hearkens back to various influences throughout. It doesn’t seem to have any particular purpose or end goal.
Fortunately for PUSA, II picks up significantly with Volcano. It reminds me specifically of everything that was right about their debut. It’s upbeat, wry, entertaining, and intelligent in a preschoolish sort of way. Even better is Mach 5. I find myself entertained and emotionally stimulated by the consistently throbbing guitars and drums and Ballew’s strangely provoking vocals.
But from this point on, II provides little more to the listener than a modest release of pent up energy. Sure, there’s some amount of joy to be gotten from Tiki God and Toob Amplifier. But the fact remains that the rest of the songs are too similar and lack any real zest to differentiate one from the next.
II could have been worse. PUSA could have completely sold out failed miserably on a creative level. Instead, II is an okay album with a few bright spots but overall sounds more like a lacking attempt by a has been band of previously uber-cool rock and roll crazies.
Like I already mentioned, II was the second and soon thereafter announced last album from PUSA. An album of rarities was later released (Pure Frosting). In 2000, the band resurfaced on an indie label and gave the world Freaked Out And Small. Little had changed for the band from the music to the lyrics to the lineup. There might still be hope for another album from PUSA that nears the early success of the debut.
Rating: 3/5 stars
Track Listing:
1. Ladies and Gentlemen, Pt. 1
2. Lunatic to Love
3. Volcano
4. Mach 5
5. Twig
6. Bug City
7. Bath of Fire
8. Tiki God
9. Lip
10. Froggie
11. Toob Amplifier
12. Supermodel
13. Puffy Little Shoes
14. Ladies and Gentlemen, Pt. 2
15. (hidden)
Recommended:
Yes
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lambchops
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Member: Shelly T.
Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan
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