Review: Tapes 'n Tapes - The Loon (or) way up in the northwoods

Posted on 10 January 2006 | 2 Comments

Filed Under: Album Reviews, Indie Rock

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The world of music bloggers is seemingly going to hype Tapes ‘n Tapes to death. Everyone has been posting about them lately, and if they weren’t so damn good, I might complain a little. Addie sort of posted about them yesterday so I thought I’d follow that up with one of my own. But other than saying that if I’d heard their album sooner it would have most certainly made my best of 2005 list, I’ll let you see what some others have written about them.

“The heavy buzz on these guys has been brewing like some other bands you might remember from last year, but don’t let that stop you from checking them out…you’d kick yourself later.” – Aquarium Drunkard

“Goodness knows the indie trio Tapes ‘n Tapes were a big delight of this past fall for many in the blogosphere. Their solid, Wilco-esque single “Omaha” had me tapping my feet for just about the entire month of November…I dare say this record is going to continue to be something of a soundtrack for me for these first few weeks of the new year. Tapes! Tapes!” – Hello Gina

“Listening to Tapes ‘n Tapes reminds me of the first time I heard some of my favorite indie bands. Not so much because they sound like Arcade Fire or The Robot Ate Me, but rather it’s the same feeling that Tapes ‘n Tapes are positively bursting at the seams with potential. “Cowbell” is definitely one of the best songs I’ve heard all month. It fits in nicely with the other crazily awesome songs on The Loon.” – You Ain’t No Picasso

“And if you wanna know how I know it’s good: it sounds good on my work computer’s speakers, and nothing sounds good on my work computer’s speakers.” – Gorilla vs. Bear

They’ve been doing their noisy, unshaven thing in MNPLS for a few years now. Maybe they’re even the city’s best kept secret, or, maybe people there hate the band and are going to throw rocks at me for falling prey to their hype. But I don’t care, because there is no hype — just amazing, amazing songs. Listen to this damn thing. Just listen to it. I listened to it at least a dozen times yesterday. I love it. It’s [“Insistor”] a thing of beauty, and one of the catchiest singles I’ve heard this year. It very quickly has shot to the top of my ranks this year, and that’s what this thing is all about…If I were pitchfork this would be my best new music.” – Music For Robots

Music For Robots also (just today) posted a Tapes ‘n Tapes video that is definitely worth checking out. Their latest album The Loon is available now at Insound or directly from the band’s website.

MP3 | Tapes ‘N Tapes – Insistor The Loon
MP3 | Tapes ‘N Tapes – Omaha The Loon