Silkworm

Lifestyles

Silkworm's new record, Lifestyle, conveniently serves as a metaphor for the current Seattle indie rock scene. Sure, Nirvana turned the world upside down with Bleach and Nevermind, and Sleater-Kinney and Bikini Kill have extended the Pacific Northwest legend, but Silkworm's most recent effort comes across as a mere rehash of indie rock ground that has long been covered.

"Contempt," the album's first song, is certainly the best, featuring melodically distorted guitars and subtly harsh lyrics from vocalist and guitarist Andy Cohen. Likely alluding to a relationship that ended sourly, he convincingly repeats, "I'll keep away from you/You keep away from me," distinctly clarifying the song title.

Disappointingly, things progress steadily downward after the standout first track.

Both "Slave Wage" and "Yrweb" are disappointing tunes for a band signed to as respectable a label as Touch and Go. While the band attempts to establish a catchy, up-tempo rock n' roll atmosphere on these songs, their efforts sound overwhelmingly conventional. One hears the same types of songs on Lifestyle as can be found on any alternative rock radio station.

"Treat the New Guy Right" follows along the same lines. Although the brisk beat will keep toes tapping, everyone who remembers MTV's "Buzz Bin" will agree that Silkworm does nothing new with songs like this. Disappointingly, tunes of this ilk dominate the album.

Aside from "Contempt," the fifth track, "Roots," stands out as clearly superior to the rest of the album. Silkworm abandons their blase alterna-rock tendencies in favor of a sound more akin to Massachussetts-era Scud Mountain Boys. Although the acoustic, country stylings fit well with Cohen's surly voice, "Roots" disappointingly marks the only track where Silkworm assumes such an identity.

Silkworm seems to struggle with their identity on Lifestyle. The slower songs clearly sound better, yet the band seems focused on presenting themselves as an upbeat alternative-sounding band. Things get a little better when they slow down on "That's Entertainment," but they ruin their high points by following with banal and repetitive songs.

Although "Raging Bull" sounds decent, any fan of Built to Spill would recognize the clear connection that Silkworm seems intent on establishing with the seminal Midwestern band. Like many contemporary indie rock bands, Silkworm lacks in originality and exacerbate their weaknesses by playing in styles that clearly do not adhere to their strengths.

Unless they slow things down and let Cohen's pleasing voice carry more of the load, don't expect Silkworm to stick around on Touch and Go's prestigious roster for much longer.