lambchops's Full Review: I Am an Elastic Firecracker by Tripping Daisy
Texas-based band Tripping Daisy first came together in 1991. With an attempted musical style reminiscent of a quirkier version of psychedelic-era Beatles, the band broke onto the music scene with 1992’s Bill.
My delicate, corn-fed ears didn’t stumble upon Tripping Daisy until a few years later when they released I Am An Elastic Firecracker. In retrospect, I suppose that the band’s sound appealed to me simply because it seemed novel and strange. The four band members, Tim DeLaughter (vocals, guitar), Wes Berggren (guitar), Mark Pirro (bass), and Mitch Marine (drums), created a style of music that was very different than most bands still wallowing around in post-grunge doldrums.
But any possibility of the band really making an impact came crashing down in 1999 when Berggren overdosed and died. The tragic even led to the breakup of Tripping Daisy. And, the sad part about it all is that very few people ever got the opportunity to experience their form of music.
Tripping Daisy found the most success with their 1995 release I Am An Elastic Firecracker. Although, it’s very important to mention that some of their other releases (I don’t own them, of course) were better received by fans. Released by Island Records, the album features twelve songs. DeLaughter was the driving force behind each of the tracks…he wrote the lyrics while the entire band collaborated on the accompanying music.
The thing that really did separate Tripping Daisy from herds of other acts was their keen sense of humor mixed with punk attitude. But, honestly that’s all the more I can say good about Tripping Daisy. Maybe their music is a bit too strange or too abrasive for me (keep in mind that’s saying a lot, considering one of my favorite bands is and will always be nine inch nails)….whatever the reason I don’t find too much of interest with this album.
Rocketpop is a decent track when the band remove the harsh drums and guitars, slowing the track down to a nice, quirky alternative track. I enjoy the creativity in lyrics, but the song just has to choose a direction and tempo and stick to it. With that said, I enjoy the fact that Bang does have a great beat and melody mixed with heavy guitars. It seems more focused than some of the other intentionally strange tracks.
The one song that I recall hearing on the radio from this album is I Got A Girl. Tripping Daisy really holds back on drums and electric guitars in favor of simply being mainstream alternative. Usually this kind of attempt will lead to sure failure, but in this example there’s no question that this track is a standout on the album. Here’s an example of some of the lyrics that paired with DeLaughter’s nasally vocals turns this track into pure novelty:
I got a girl who loves good soul
I got a girl who dances to disco
I got a girl who wears cool shoes
I got a girl who wears them in the nude
Piranha can pass as a decently entertaining track. In this case, I enjoy the traditional rock guitars and percussion. When DeLaughter jumps in with vocals the song switches from straight rock to something a bit different. In fact, I’m reminded of Jane’s Addiction here. That’s definitely a compliment. For sheer rock appeal, I’d have to say that I enjoy this song more than all of the rest on this overall mediocre album. For the same reasons I just mentioned, I also enjoy Motivation. Sure it’s got a bit slower tempo, but overall the track is appealing in a very rock and roll way.
When bands attempt to force just how funny they are I find myself annoyed. As is the case with Same Dress New Day. The opera-esque keyboard is annoying as hell. It detracts from anything that could be considered in the least bit decent. Seriously, this song rots. Skip it or you’ll be sorry…
Trip Along is pensive and thoughtful in a strangely disturbing way. So far as tracks go here, this one is decent. But, the fact that Tripping Daisy seems to be trying so hard to sound controlled. When the track breaks into hard rock, any redeeming quality of the track goes down the drain. Once again, I’m reminded of just how much I despise it when band’s knowingly switch tempos (like that damned System of a DownChop Suey! song).
With a very punk sounding drum and guitar line, Raindrop actually ends up being an okay track. Nothing great, but the fact that Tripping Daisy had the ability to jump around genres and sounds is apparent here. The only thing that really holds them back is DeLaughter’s annoyingly-novel voice.
I’m not sure exactly what audience Step Behind is supposed to appeal to. The melody is forcibly soft at times. But that doesn’t last long. Alas, the listener is bombarded by heavy guitars and DeLaughter’s voice (which, by the way, sounds considerably like a much more annoying Chris Ballew of Presidents of the United States of America fame).
The two of the final three tracks do little to make me appreciate this album on the whole. I despise the attempted honky tonk on Noose. High is also annoying in much the same way. Neither is in the least bit interesting to me.
The one track that really stands out is the loud and driving eleventh song Prick. Something about the song sounds like a mixture between Ozzy Osborne and Jane’s Addiction. Those comparisons do apply only to this track when it’s not trying too hard to be quirky. When it slows down I once again find myself annoyed with Tripping Daisy and their meager attempts at being ‘different.’ I just wish that they would stick with the same thing throughout an entire track rather than jumping around.
Overall, there’s nothing much to say about I Am An Elastic Firecracker. There are some okay tracks like I Got A Girl and Piranha. But overall, Tripping Daisy desperately needed to pick a style and go with it. I will give this album 3/5 stars. It’s decent. But, I cannot possibly bring myself to recommend this album to anybody but fans of the band. This 1995 album is just too hard on my ears to enjoy it’s overall quality.
Track Listing:
1. Rocketpop
2. Bang
3. I Got A Girl
4. Piranha
5. Motivation
6. Same Dress New Day
7. Trip Along
8. Raindrop
9. Step Behind
10. Noose
11. Prick
12. High
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