Mammoth Penguins
There’s No Fight We Can’t Both Win
(Fika Recordings)
Between 2010 and 2013, I listened to
the band Standard Fare
constantly. I cannot emphasize enough
how much I played their two albums. Over
and over again. I tracked down all of
their singles and played those to death as well. There was something about the trio’s concise bright
pop songs that captured my sweet tooth and I never tired of their music. It sounded great loud and with Emma Kupa’s – let’s just say unique
vocals – I sang along at the top of my lungs.
Well, unfortunately, they only lasted those few years. In my disappointment, I half-heartedly tried
to follow the members’ post break-up (which turned out to be Kupa only), but
she adopted a more rootsy sound that didn’t appeal much to me. I only picked up a few singles of hers along
the way. Somehow, I missed the Mammoth Penguins project until they
leaked the silly song “I Wanna,” that gleefully falls head over heels into a
crush, early this year. I’m so thankful,
because Emma is back in the indie pop rock trio format, writing fantastic
melodies that are once again forcing me to listen – and listen enthusiastically
– a lot!
There’s an elegance about the
straightforward simplicity of this third Mammoth Penguins album that is
incredibly appealing. Lyrically, Kupa
mostly covers the aftermath of a break-up and the regrets she has that may have
led to its demise. Yet, still there is
an inherent acceptance that these things sometimes don’t work out, despite all
of our best intentions and when both parties are good people. Musically, there’s a nice variety, but in a
stripped down no frills sort of way. The
rhythm section of Mark Boxall (bass)
and Tom Barden (drums) are so
unflappable and tight, the entire album would sound good with just them. Emma played bass in Standard Fare, but here
she proves to be an excellent guitarist as well, but it’s her vocals that are
her trademark. They are unschooled to
say the least. I can completely
understand if someone listened and found her voice off-putting, but personally,
her vocals are the major highlight for me.
She strains for notes that she can’t reach and its fun as hell to sing
along, because I can’t reach them either.
The opening and closing songs here
are my favorites. “Closure” starts
things off at the end – a wistful look back at what was likely a pretty happy
relationship, but one that is now over.
Inside this propulsive song, there are a load of contradictions therein. The song gives every indication of being a
love song, while also acknowledging the relief that there’s now closure. At the end, “We Just Carry On” finds us back
where we started, but now everything is more emotional. She sees her old partner carrying on, but her
strength in “Closure” has evaporated (“I feel the thrill of your eyes on mine /
and I want to die”). In between, we are
presented at glimpses of where things may have gone awry. The classic rocking “Dick Move,” lists all
the things she should’ve done to keep things together. She treads on regret some more in “There is
so Much More” – “I’ve always hesitated / I tend to look for the negative /
never singing your praises.” The
tumultuous “Put it All on You” is a powerhouse of a song, as we gain more
insight on how things may not have ended so amicably: “You said I was
everything / and then it all stopped / like I was your hallway light / that you
just switched off.” The relationship isn’t
the only thing that has ended here as we find out in “Quit My Job,” which
should be my anthem (“quit my job and it feels good / now I feel free”), but it’s
a little too melancholic sounding to sound like the celebration that I feel it
should be. Perhaps for her, this is more
about housecleaning and starting anew.
At any rate, I’m very excited to have
this album to enjoy and I highly recommend it.
However, if you’re unfamiliar with Standard Fare, please try to track
them down as well. Meanwhile, I will be tracking down the Penguins' prior releases.
Mammoth Penguins "Closure"
I totally agree what you say about her vocals- love them!!!
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