Album Details

• Artist: Imogene
• Album: Imogene
• Label: N/A
• Year of Release: 2007
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2008-03-12

From one of America's music capitals (LA) comes Imogene, and they've been making their way through the Cali scene since '03. They've self-produced their own material, self-marketed themselves onto nation-wide tours and have made a few videos, all on their own time and dime. More impressive is their increasing popularity in big media; they've had songs featured on many television shows, from Queer Eye to Friday Night Lights. This is their debut full-length, released last year and produced and released all by Imogene themselves.

Their style is strictly pop-rock, but the substance is more than you'd expect. Unique to a degree, they are without guitar work, as two basses (one heavily distorted 7-string and the more common 4-string) make up a deep rhythm section that is the main drive of all their songs. Backed by tight drumming and electric organ/keys for flair, their dynamics are strong and, at least for a little while, the novelty factor and catchiness of their songs will have you quite impressed. After awhile though it gets a bit tiring, as the lack of lead work and variety in songwriting see the album's songs blending into one another over the 2nd half. The vocals especially become a bit monotonous as time goes on, but to just listen to some of the album's best tracks is enjoyable. This isn't a disc that flows front to back, but stands on several strong tracks mixed in with enough filler to round out a full-length. 

I would say Imogene have found their sound, but not the limits to which they can take it. Not even close. The groove-oriented style plays heavily on interesting and provocative bass riffs and harmonic interplay between the two bass players; that much is present, but could be stronger. Also, since this music is definitely not my thing, it's hard for me to give them too much credit. This will appeal to fans of groove-heavy rock, ala QOTSA or Black Sabbath, but don't expect the same results. Good, but nothing to write home about. 

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