I might have known Matt Frisby if I was twenty years younger. He started a project entitled hi-Score in Crystal Lake, Il which is where I went to high school and my mother currently still lives. I graduated before the turn of the century but some things never change. Frisby mentions Weezer was an influence and I remember playing Weezer covers in mom’s basement all those years ago. We have more in common. His album Bedridden was recorded in Champaign-Urbana, IL which is where I also recorded music and went to college.
Frsiby (vocals/guitar) works with John Cieslak (bass/vocals) and Will Penne (drums/guitar/vocals) on Bedridden. The band definitely feeds into a lo-fi indie rock style. That being said it’s a professionally produced lo-fi sound and not something you would get from a laptop in a bedroom. Frisby sings about age appropriate subjects such as drinking too much, growing out of certain behaviors and the almost standard existential questions that start to merge as you begin your twenties. Take for instance the opener “Freshman Halloween” where he sings, “I'm too old for costumes this year / Just gonna stay back and watch the door / Waiting for my phone to ring / Ignore the disappointments in store.” It’s a catchy tune that is well structured and delivered. The dueling guitars sound great. “Homeschooled” definitely has some of that old school flavor I remember from Weezer. The chorus and delivery reminded me more of the Blue Album and Pinkerton. “I’m Good, Man” is a highlight. It reminded of a band called Hum which incidentally were also from Champaign-Urbana, IL. As the album progresses I thought the songwriting was consistently good. They also excelled at creating a cohesive feeling to the album. There was some songs that mixed things up such as the acoustic driven “Hospital Rants” and the exceptionally catchy and the slightly ’50s pop sounding “The Bones, The Gears, The Teeth.” “Returning” is another rocker I wouldn't miss out on. Frisby and company have got some talent. I thought it was a well put together album. Next time I visit Champaign-Urbana maybe I will see his band name on the marquee for the Canopy Club.
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