album of the week: 9.4

Les Savy Fav

Root For Ruin

Frenchkiss Records (2010)

why you'll love it: back to basics LSF album for those who have waited for it

why you'll hate it: rather unremarkable compared to the rest of their catalogue

For those of us not cool enough to have known about Les Savy Fav in the 90s and turn of the century, a full length record is something of a rare unexpected treat. Their 2007 album (Let's Stay Friends) was a confirmation to their fans not to hold their breath. If anything, I was expecting to see another series of singles akin to the Inches compilation. But here we are, a new album in only two years. LSF are quick to confidently proclaim in the very first song, "We've still got our appetite."

The mere existence of Root For Ruin isn't the only story here. It has a surprising back to basics presentation. The songs call back to The Cat and the Cobra (1999) era, as promised by the band. No frills, but a whole lot of stinging guitar and cocky lyrics. The band is now comfortable enough to write a couple pop songs like "Sleepless in Silverlake", or just more live-show fodder for their eccentric singer to grind up against some unsuspecting hipster while stripped to only boxer-briefs and a cape ("Lips N' Stuff").

I've read a few reviews that accuse this album of simply going through the motions. I don't think this is the case here. The past ten years have seen a lot of experimentation by the band, in both song structure and general thematics. Root For Ruin seems to be shamed only because it's just a regular-ass album. Granted, a really good one. Ten really great (one crappy one) with guitars played like power tools, and a whole lot of swagger. I guess some reviewers are just annoyed that they don't have a writing hook to hang this album on. Plenty of great songs on here that aren't worth throwing away just because it's not part of any greater concept or progressive sound.