Imagine the Pixies. Now, sprinkle in some At the Drive-In. Grind in some Peaches. Throw in the Gossip. And add a dash of VHS or Beta. Now this concoction sounds as if even if it weren’t good, it would still be interesting, right? If you said yes, then at least you’ve got that right: it’s interesting.

Morningwood’s eponymous debut album is a patchwork quilt of vocals and sounds. Frontwoman Chantal Claret howls, screeches, and even sings her way whole-heartedly throughout this 41-minute album. And though she may be convincing herself with such anthems as “Take Off Your Clothes” and “Nu Rock”, often this reviewer is left wondering exactly what this group is trying to accomplish. There is nothing wrong with a band wearing their influences on their sleeve, nor with dabbling in many different types of sounds. The problem with Morningwood, however, is that nothing really works or gives the listener a significant idea of who the band is. I’m more tempted after hearing opening track “Nu Rock” to go download some Kiss, or after hearing “Babysitter” to go listen to Le Tigre or even Thunderbirds Are Now! for more interesting synth beats and much better lyrics than can be found here.

Frankly, while Chantal Claret is an interesting character, in the end she’s merely that: a character. There would be more appeal in her voice if it didn’t feel as if she was doing her best impression of a rock and roll woman. This album features some very talented musicians, yet because of all of the posturing strewn around Claret’s vocal stylings, it is entirely unmemorable. Even Britney Spears’ “Toxic” could get stuck in this reviewer’s head, yet Morningwood, who have more talent hidden in one of Timo Ellis’ drumsticks than Spears has in her entire bloated body, don’t seem to really know how to own a song. There are the Patti Smiths, the Joan Jetts, the Wendy Cases, the VVs, even the Wiggins sisters of the world, who know what rock and roll music is. And they understand that just being from New York and being able to yell isn’t it.

Reviewed by Megan Giddings