In the future, when singles become obsolete, and bands sell their potential hits directly to advertising conglomerates, we will have the Caesars to thank (or, I guess, to blame … either way). Several years ago, I became fairly obsessed with their first single, “(I’m Gonna) Kick You Out,” which some of you may remember as the background music to that one Smirnoff Ice ad that ran during just about every commercial break on ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption.” Now, years later, they’re soundtracking iPod spots. Here we have a band who has managed to become moderately rich and famous without (to the best of my knowledge) any radio play at all. My hat is off to them. The only easier way to get famous is to land a spot on the Garden State soundtrack.
All issues of selling out aside, “(I’m Gonna) Kick You Out” was a great tune, and “Jerk It Out” (the iPod jam) is pretty stellar as well. No one is doubting the Caesars’ ability to write the occasional catchy pop jingle. After repeated listens to Paper Tigers, however, I’m doubting their ability to do much else.
The music itself is not bad. It’s a little bland, yes, Britpop without the arena bombast of good Oasis or the cleverness of good Blur. In fact, this record fits nicely between the disappointing releases both those bands have been putting out recently. It’s moderately catchy (nothing as sugar-coated as “Jerk It Out,” which somehow manages to be the best and worst song here), but also incredibly ignorable. Also most of the songs are too long. I have no idea what the second single is going to be.
Lyrically, however, this album breaks new ground in clichés per square inch. Add that to the fact that “It’s Not the Fall That Hurts” appears to be cribbing hooks from old “No Fear” shirts, and we have an album that feels like it could have been written by a computer program set to randomly combine the most overused rock lyrics of the past twenty years. I know these guys are from Sweden, but, come on, Ace of Base was more thought provoking.
Still, in the end, I can’t knock the hustle. Write a couple otherworldly singles, sell out, pad the album with generally pleasant filler, get famous. The Caesars win. Listeners, however, finish a little further down the standings. |