The Orwells latest joint is a punk-angst-garage-rock manifesto chef-d'oeuvre mix worthy of listening to by any human being dead-or-alive.
On Terrible Human Beings, the Orwells temper the brashness of their 2014 breakthrough, Disgraceland. Throughout, the Chicago garage-rock revivalists harness their considerable energy and wield it with more precision.
A lack of variety and some hokey attempts at playing the blues doesn’t prevent Terrible Human Beings from being a solid return for The Orwells, and nascent listeners will no doubt find themselves corrupted by the group’s obvious talent.
Here there is clear evidence of development as the band stretch their musical muscles, featuring more varied vocals and a fine extended instrumental passage in the middle with rumbling bass and needling guitar work.
The mild growth and light sophistication they show in spots doesn't make the record any less of a rollicking good time. Just like they have since their early days, the Orwells bring the songs, the suds, and the knuckleheaded energy to the party.
Unkempt and heartfelt, Terrible Human Beings shows The Orwells have promise and is a fun joy ride while you're on it. You just may not feel compelled to repeat the ride very often.
This is an album called Terrible Human Beings with a naked woman on the cover, but like so much of what lies herein, they suggest malevolence without much to show for it.
It's a competent but unspectacular offering that's more likely to reinforce the band's place as indie rock also-rans than take them to the next level.
I think this is probably their best, or at least my favorite album from them. I think they refine their sound and up their game a bit here. hearing heavy influence of the pixies on here (and not cause of the black francis song), Double feature is probably one of the orwells best tracks to date and definitely my favorite.
They Put a Body In the Bayou - 9/10
Fry - 7/10
Creatures - 4/10
Vacation - 8/10
Black Francis - 10/10
M.A.D. - 7/10
Buddy - 7/10
Hippie Soldier - 7/10
Heavy Head - 7/10
Body Reprise - not rated instrumental
Ring Pop - 4/10
Last Call (Go Home) - 7/10
Double Feature - 8/10
Overall Rating: 85 out of 120 = 71