bud collins - state vector collapse

Bud Collins Trio

Stat Vector Collapse
self-released; 2013

3.8 out of 5

By Sean Dennison

I was beginning to listen to the Bud Collins Trio when "Jeff Lynne" came on. "I can't believe it's only Monday / I feel so tired already." There have been a few times in event memory when such straightforward lyrics have resonated so deeply within me, for it was Monday, and I was tired already. What else do these guys have to offer besides naked empathy?

According to the Bud Collins Trio Facebook page, the musical entity isn't a trio but an ensemble of twelve (dodecatuplet?). Unless the page lists all of the alumni and not just the current incarnation, I didn't ask because I prefer to savor the mystery. Also, there is no Bud Collins in the band, rather the group is named for the sports journalist, whose name wasn't even Bud, it was Arthur. Again, didn't ask. Mystery.

State Vector Collapse is full of the sort of offbeat pop you wish you discovered earlier in life. The music as a whole is something like Pixies breeding with those 90s garage bands whose albums wound up in the dollar bin. There are many fun instrumental and vocal harmonies to look out for, like head-noddingly good harmonies. The songs never seemed filled with sound, which is good because the stripped-down compositions work well in the band's favor. "Can't Stay Here" uses a super simple drumbeat to offset the crafty guitar work while light keyboarding filters through the fun. "Soapy Water" features very surfy guitars gently elbowing each other out of the way for your attention. "Robots Always Win" features crunchy guitar work with lilting male harmonies. It's all good stuff, pleasant to the ears and smile inducing because of how peaceful the musicians sound with each other. 

Lyrically this album has some awesome ideas. I already touched upon the ennui in “Jeff Lynne,” but then the Bud Collins Trio also explores man's relationship with electronics ("When did they start running cables through every space in your life"), reconciliation ("so pass around the drinks have a little for your health / because the past is just behind you, just stop talking about yourself"), and the future ("one day soon you know we're all gonna have those flying cars…living in the future we're all gonna live up on the Deathstar"). Obviously there are more themes but I grow wear of these parenthetical quotes.

It's a low-key joy to listen to State Vector Collapse. The ruckus and rhythms produced by the Bud Collins Trio put me in a good mood, and frankly that's the bare minimum in what I look for in music as I become a bitter old adult.

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