If you like Weezer, you will enjoy West Virginia’s very own Rozwell Kid’s new album ‘Precious Art’. The album might feature humorous lyrics, but the underlying meaning to this album is singer and guitarist Jordan Hudkin’s battle with mental health.
‘Wendy’s Trash Can’ features typical indie rock guitar riffs and nonsensical lyrics: “I’m up to my eyeballs in red neon suits and spray on tans, I’m down to my underwear because I threw it all away in Wendy’s trash can”. The melodies are catchy, dynamic yet repetitive, and they ooze with juvenility.
‘UHF on DVD’ begins with flanging guitars and kicks into a full indie rock introduction with a repetitive guitar riff and dynamic drumming. The guitar remains present throughout, creating texture and density and adding to the character of the track. The bridge is a good contrast and the lyrics “all I want, is to be home with you, eating tacos and watching UHF on DVD” leave the track open to interpretation.
The last track on the album ‘Michael Keaton’ is a tribute to the actor. The lyrics describe leaving home in search of the actor in order to tell him how great he is, an adaptation of a childhood memory where singer Hudkins searched for Michael Keaton in the phonebook as a kid. The music itself features an easy going, repetitive guitar riff which plays from beginning, the speed of the track being laid back and steady. The tempo portrays their adventure to seek Michael Keaton’s house: a couple of young boys packing their bags, Walkman and taking themselves to a new, exciting place in search of their hero.
‘Precious Art’ exudes adolescence, innocence and childhood memories, but with double meanings, the album can be interpreted in contradicting ways. Rozwell Kid are geeky yet lovable and ‘Precious Art’ is well written, and on occasion makes you wish you were a teenager once more.
EMMA GREVESON