Culture

Rating: A

Ought are a four-piece based in Montreal, More Than Any Other Day is their debut release. The record is an interesting conglomeration of different musical spare parts and personalities. Whilst taking cues from art punk forefathers such as Television, The Talking Heads, Wire, Slint and Joy Division, the band have somehow fleshed out something truly themselves.

With angular, glassy-edged guitar playing, and almost jazz-like bass playing, what stands out most is frontman Tim Beeler’s vocals and unconventional lyrical leanings. Dynamically he is one part Ian Curtis and one part Frank Black. Spitting out verse after verse with intense restraint and every now and then breaking loose, charging his often spoken words with furious inflection.

The album is eight tracks long but stretches out to hit an impressive 46-minute mark. Each track taking up about an average of six minutes or so. These tracks are lengthy compositions, and aren’t quite products of straight-up pop songwriting. Not to say that there are no hooks or the record is hard to consume or understand, but these tracks are more a vehicle for passion and individuality than a piece of ear candy to be easily consumed.

Overall More Than Any Other Day flows seamlessly between strange lyrical musings and noodly but focused musical interplay. Sometimes funny, sometimes outrageous, each track has something that merits its spot on the album, however some standouts include “The Weather Song,” “Around Again” and title-track “More Than Any Other Day.” A refreshing debut from an up and coming group.