Thick Brown Fur - Flakes

Thick Brown Fur

Flakes
self-released; 2014

3.6 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Thick Brown Fur started back in 2004 by Josh Iverson (guitar/vocals) and Neal Maccarone (drums/ vocals). They recruited Nick Steranko (bass/vocals). In 2008 the band basically broke up and went on a seven-year hiatus until they dusted off their guitars, drums and bass and decided to go back at it in 2014. The band got back to business and completed a ten-song album entitled Flakes. 

The album contains unpretentious garage/surf rock that doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to enjoy. Flakes is an incredibly consistent album when it comes to song quality and overall feel. The songs seem relaxed and loose and the band seems like they are having a genuinely good time.

I have to say that Flakes sounds good for a complete DIY effort. The guitars have a nice mid-range, the bass is clearly audible and the drums sound good too. I especially enjoyed the way the vocals were treated. They are covered in a slightly dirty distortion, which adds a bit of grit. 

The band starts with “Thick Brown Surf,” which as you may have guessed is a surf song. It’s a predictable but fun song. There aren’t any vocals besides a couple of sporadic shouts. “California” is under two minutes but packs in a lot if infectious melodies within that time while “If” has some effective vocal harmonies by the lead singer. 

The band continues to deliver with “Experience,” “Chokehold” and “Hang It Up.” In fact there really aren't any stinkers in the batch. Ten songs may seem like a lot these days but the album goes by fast because the majority of them are under the three-minute mark.

Thick Brown Fur isn’t reaching to be anything it’s not. The three-piece seems comfortable playing delightful songs that are undeniably poppy. If you enjoy bands like Vampire Weekend and The Shins these guys should float your boat. Check it out.

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