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Sep 13, 2018 Issue #64 -  Kamasi Washington By Matt the Raven

This is the same Waxahatchee that gave us the splendidly energetic buzz rock of Out in the Storm last year. But you won’t believe it when listening to Great Thunder.

Katie Crutchfield’s band has done a complete about-face and is almost unrecognizable. No more sprightly guitar pop or rowdy rock or Belly comparisons. All the layers have been stripped away and the only thing left is Crutchfield’s lilting voice. With little more than piano and voice, the minimalist arrangements and hushed tone of these six reserved tunes lack an edge and freshness and actually contradict the EPs title.

These may be heartfelt confessionals, but very few artists have the ability to engage me lyrically first and musically second (e.g., Bright Eyes). And even fewer can overcome some musical shortcomings with particularly clever articulations or an amazingly radiant voice (e.g., Florence Welch) of which Waxahatchee has neither.

Even after many cycles through the listening rotation none of the songs drew me in or struck a chord. Great Thunder is nothing but dull, adult contemporary rock-lite that swings with a tempo of a slow cooker. (www.waxahatchee.bandcamp.com)

Author rating: 3/10