The Rentals return to the past for songs about time
It’s been a couple of years since The Band Of That Guy Who Was In Weezer appeared again with a new EP, following Matt Sharp’s misstep into the solo arena. Now they are back with their first full-length project in ten years, a collection of three EPs that will be collected as an album at the end of the year. It’s an interesting way to go, even if I’m not entirely convinced by it. The releasing of the EPs is fine, releasing them only as downloads and making us wait for physical copies is a tad annoying. Especially when the physical copies come with a long wait time and a ludicrously high price tag.
None of that should get in the way of the music though, and it’s good to hear The Rentals back at doing what they do best. Like the best songs from their previous release, Story of a Thousand Seasons Past sounds as though it would feel right at home on their original Return of the Rentals album. The song remains even handed throughout, never really getting it’s big rise or succinct statement. This style is one that a lot of bands struggle with, but here it manages to suit both Sharp’s voice and songwriting. Certainly it’s more rounded than any of their previous material, even if it doesn’t quite become the perfect song. It’s still good enough to win over new ears to the band, rather than having the band still ride along on the goodwill toward the previous band.
Chapter One of Songs About Time is available now as a digital download for $6. The next two volumes should appear in July and October respectively. Physical releases will follow in December and will cost, depending on which version you go for, either $125 or $275. I shit you not.
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