Pinback deliver exactly what fans of the Californian band would expect on their fifth album, Information Retrieved.
The band don’t stray far from their unique sound. Filled with intricate bass lines that duel with sharp guitars, and the interplay of dual vocalists, Zach Smith (or the more eccentrically named Armistead Burwell Smith IV) and Rob Crow, the duo have a proven formula, and follow it closely on their first release in five years.
Opener and first single ‘Proceed To Memory’ is a clear standout, building with the interplay between bass, guitar and vocals to a soaring finish. With lyrics revolving around the failings of the human body, with lines such as “All you’ll have is the memory / And then you won’t even have that memory”, their depressing nature contrasts with the breezy instrumentation.
It is the interplay between Crow’s guitar and Smith’s bass, as well as their switching vocals, that defines the band and on tracks such as ‘True North’, one of the albums more upbeat moments, the contrast between Smith’s softer, more vulnerable vocals, and Crows rawer delivery demands attention.
Much of the album blends into a cohesive, if somewhat tedious, whole, with nothing all that new or interesting interjected into Pinback’s already established template.
‘Diminished’ is a heart-felt, piano-driven track with dour lyrics complemented by Smith’s constantly interesting bass technique, with the line “Should it be so hard to have a nice day? / Should it be so hard to have a nice time?”, bringing the song to layered finish.
On their long-awaited fifth studio album, Pinback deliver another dose of trademark indie pop that will no doubt satisfy their loyal fans, but may not succeed in drawing in many new ones.
Rating: 6.5 / 10
Key Track: Proceed To Memory
