Ambien Blackout - Black Lobster

Ambien Blackout

Black Lobster
self-released; 2016

3.9 out of 5

By Matt Jensen
​

I have to admit that I’m not too fond of the name Ambien Blackout. It reminded me of something a sixteen-year-old would come up with after stealing their mom’s Ambien and forcing themselves to stay up. I has a hunch this band wasn’t going to be a jazz band full of guys in their mid ’60s.

Well I was pleasantly surprised by how good the band was. The EP entitled Black Lobster (dig the name) has some well above average indie rock and references bands as wide ranging as Weezer (think The Blue Album, Pinkerton) to Car Seat Headrest.

The production is good, just about perfect, for indie rock. Everything sounded good in the mix and was pleasant on the ears.

The band starts with a damn good song entitled “Elliott Smith On A Glue Trap.” This song is really catchy in a good way. The band rocks and I loved the flow of the song. That being said please leave Elliott Smith alone. “Between The Bars” is a song I still regularly listen to while preparing waffles for my golden retriever. 

The band delivers again with “Ringing.” They know how to write a catchy groove and the song isn’t nearly as annoying as it seems on paper. The lyrics are “Year after year, after year, after year, after...Year after year, after year, after year, after...Year after year, after year, after year, after…” and “Ringing, ringing that never stops. Ringing, ringing that never stops. Ringing, ringing that never stops.” The band somehow makes these lyrics melodic and sing-along worthy rather than an exasperating yoga mantra.

“Chemtrails” has good original lyrics plus catchy grooves. First of all the band is obviously warning us that the government is spreading mind altering substances that control our thoughts and spending habits. Ok fine maybe not, you can interpret the lyrics how you want.

The band decides to superfluously include the word “fucking” in the song “King of the Fucking World.” Some elements of post-rock in this song. They close with the “Moon” which might be the catchiest song of the batch. Great song.

If the guys can get better at naming their band, songs and albums they might have a chance. I suggest they hire an outside consultant. All kidding aside this band really does bring the goods and with some luck and gusto the band could appeal to the indie rock community. Keep at it boys. You sound good.

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