Tame Impala - Deadbeat ALBUM REVIEW

Summary

In this review, Dethany Beat Tano critiques Tame Impala's fifth album, *Deadbeat*. While acknowledging the project's roots in psychedelic rock, the review highlights a shift towards dance and electronic elements that fall short of expectations. Tano expresses disappointment with the album's lackluster, repetitive tracks and awkward experimental attempts, like *Oblivion* and *Not My World*. Despite some individual moments, such as *Dracula*, the album overall feels directionless and uninspired. Tano suggests a reset in Tame Impala's creative approach and calls for a return to strong songwriting and fresh ideas for future projects.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tame Impala's new album 'Deadbeat' is the fifth full-length LP from the project led by Kevin Parker, known for his psychedelic rock and experimental music.
• 😀 Tame Impala's early work, like 'Inner Speaker' and 'Lonerism,' was praised for its influence on the Australian psychedelic scene, but the project has evolved into new musical territories.
• 😀 The 2015 album 'Currents' marked a significant shift into synth pop, appealing to a broad audience across pop, electronic, rock, and hip-hop fans.
• 😀 'The Slow Rush' (2020) received a mixed reception, with some calling it a weaker, more forgettable follow-up to 'Currents' due to its lack of innovation.
• 😀 'Deadbeat' is described as an even bigger disappointment than 'The Slow Rush,' with bland production and forgettable tracks that fail to capture Tame Impala's former magic.
• 😀 Many tracks on 'Deadbeat' feel like derivative dance music or background wallpaper, with very little demand for active listening.
• 😀 The song 'No Reply' features one of the most repetitive vocal melodies on the album, with quirky, offbeat lyrics that don't come across well.
• 😀 'Dracula' stands out as one of the better tracks, despite its spooky, Michael Jackson-inspired 80s synth funk style that feels out of place in the overall album.
• 😀 'Oblivion' is criticized for a forced Latin influence, with annoying falsetto vocals that are considered a major misstep in terms of musical style.
• 😀 Several tracks, like 'Not My World' and 'Peace of Heaven,' feature uninspired musical ideas and production that are compared to weak demo recordings or poorly executed remixes.
• 😀 The album ends with 'See You on Monday, You're Lost,' which is described as childish and silly, marking a disappointing conclusion to the record.
• 😀 The overall sentiment is that 'Deadbeat' fails to meet the high standards set by previous Tame Impala albums in terms of musicality, cohesion, and effort, leading to a very low rating of 1 to 1.5 out of 10.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the review?

The review primarily focuses on Tame Impala's latest album, *Deadbeat*, and offers a critical analysis of its musical direction, comparing it to previous works by the band.

How does the reviewer feel about Tame Impala's earlier albums?

The reviewer expresses a deep appreciation for Tame Impala's earlier albums, especially *Lonerism*, describing it as one of their favorite rock records of the 2010s.

What is the reviewer's opinion on *Currents*?

The reviewer considers *Currents* to be a groundbreaking album that helped Kevin Parker's Tame Impala appeal to various music genres and audiences, describing its crossover appeal as significant and influential.

How does the reviewer perceive *The Slow Rush*?

The reviewer is critical of *The Slow Rush*, calling it the worst Tame Impala album to date. They describe it as a more forgettable and hollow iteration of the sounds introduced in *Currents*, with a less engaging and impactful result.

What does the reviewer think of *Deadbeat* compared to previous albums?

The reviewer is highly critical of *Deadbeat*, even labeling it the new 'worst Tame Impala album,' arguing that it makes *The Slow Rush* seem like a more substantial artistic effort in comparison.

What is said about the song 'Mild Ways'?

The song 'Mild Ways' is described as linear and entrancing, with a danceable beat and minimalistic instrumentation. While not considered bad, it is seen as unremarkable, with the reviewer comparing it to a DJ remix of random studio stems.

How does the reviewer feel about the track 'No Reply'?

The reviewer criticizes 'No Reply' for its repetitive vocal melodies and lackluster lyrics, mentioning specific lines like 'you're a cinnaphile, I watch Family Guy' as particularly awkward and uninspiring.

What is the reviewer's take on 'Dracula'?

The reviewer acknowledges 'Dracula' as their favorite track on the album, though they note that its 'spooky' and 'Michael Jackson-coded' vibe might not appeal to everyone. It stands out for being more lively and playful compared to the rest of the album.

What is the critique of the song 'Oblivion'?

The song 'Oblivion' is heavily criticized for its forced tropical beat and overly reverb-heavy falsetto vocals. The reviewer finds it grating and unlistenable, arguing that it is a poor attempt at a new sound.

How does the reviewer describe the final tracks of the album?

The final tracks, including 'Not My World,' 'Peace of Heaven,' and 'Obsolete,' are described as lackluster and poorly executed, with the reviewer noting issues such as out-of-tune vocals, weak musical ideas, and a lack of cohesion in the album's direction.

What conclusion does the reviewer draw about the album overall?

The reviewer concludes that *Deadbeat* is a disappointing album that fails to meet the high standards set by previous Tame Impala releases. They suggest that a fresh creative direction and more effort in songwriting are needed for future albums.