2 posts tagged “cause co-motion”

caUSE co-MOTION! – Because Because Because

Fuzzpop, shamblepop, garagepop, loftpop… whatever you want to call it, caUSE co-Motion seem to have no intention to stray from it. And in their case, that’s perfectly okay. A peculiar thing about CCM’s brand of pop is that it rarely changes or evolves, and their fans have long accepted that. Along with dozens of other likeminded bands, CCM are simply paying tribute to c86 favorites from the not-so-distant past, so it makes sense for their sound to be frozen in time.

On their latest six-song EP, Because Because Because, CCM do what they do best. Mixing miserable lyrics with jaunty melodies and the occasional ooh and aah, each song is a sterling example of the ideal shambling pop song. Lead singer, Arno (no last name, of course), charges through each song with rambunctious energy, and as seen on their arsenal of previous EPs, there are occasional flashes of brilliance. On the first track, “And You Wonder,” dreamy chords add a bit of variety to their signature jangle, while “Is What You Say What You Mean?” has enough chanting choruses to incite a cardigan-themed riot.

The final song, “You Lose,” does manage to break one CCM taboo: it is –gasp!—more than two minutes long (by about twelve seconds). Arno closes the EP with a gem of wisdom: “You never win alone, you get jealous, and then you lose.” It’s the kind of sordid sentiment that can only be followed up with sunny guitars and a cheerful drumbeat. Non-pop fans may write off bands like CCM as nostalgic copycats who are stuck in the past, but I doubt those people will bother to listen to this EP. After all, it’s being released on vinyl only.

With their unorthodox punctuation, blogworthy live shows, and seemingly endless supply of flannel, caUSE co-MOTION! may be the poster boys for the infectious Brooklyn “loft pop” scene. After releasing a string of 7” singles, the Slumberland-released compilation, It’s Time, collects all fourteen songs into a 21-minute explosion of reverb-drenched goodness that hints at something beyond the band’s shambling pop aesthetic.

Like their contemporaries, Crystal Stilts and the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, CCM make no effort to hide their influences. Each track on It’s Time can easily trace its roots back to the Pastels or Television Personalities, and in a sense, nothing particularly innovative takes place within the lo-fi arrangements and blunt lyrics. However, such blatant imitation is of little consequence to pop kids, and most seem to encourage it. With chugging drums and ample room for handclaps, each song is an instant dance party – or more importantly, the key opening track to a lovelorn mix CD.

Along with their sterling pop pedigree, CCM has garnered quite a reputation for their frenzied live performances, which have been known to compel even the most militant head-bobber into busting an ill-advised move. Such energy is evident on It’s Time, especially through mini-anthems like “Which Way Is Up” and "Only Fades Away," with chanting choruses and familiar, foot-stomping chords.

It’s clear that CCM have the 1:30 pop song down to an art, but evidence of their potential arises in certain tracks, slyly suggesting that these guys are smarter than they let on. The final track, “Cry for Attention” starts off with the somewhat somber line, “You cry for attention, you cry in vain,” before spinning into a startlingly beautiful instrumental that cuts off just as you’re realizing, This is good shit! It’s abrupt and unexpected, but you’re left wanting more.