One minute into “Damnit Anna,” the opening track of The Morning Benders’ debut full length, the music and singing drop out, leaving only a drum figure cribbed from The Beach Boys’ classic “I’m Waiting for the Day.” It’s a moment that sets the tone for the first half of the album. Talking Through Tin Cans is a work of two distinct halves. The first, from “Damnit Anna” through the piano-and-jangle-guitar pop of “Waiting for a War,” mixes jubilant melodies influenced by singer and songwriter Chris Chu’s 60s and 70s record collection (think The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and early Kinks) with more recent power-pop fare (i.e., The Thrills or the first Rooney album). The album’s second half, titled Side B, is more subdued and textural, beginning with the lone strummed guitar and gently soft vocals of “Heavy Hearts,” and only pausing for moments like the angular, Television-style guitar break in “Boarded Doors” or the volatile instrumentation that peppers “Wasted Time.” With Talking Through Tin Cans, The Morning Benders expertly blend their love of classic pop with more modern interests, creating an album that bridges generations.
--Frank Valish [May 13, 2008]
