Aberdeen City - The Freezing Atlantic

I’m reminded of the old adage, just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. I can’t help thinking that Boston’s Aberdeen City has jumped on the Radiohead/Interpol train and are hoping that there’s still some cash to be made off that sound even at this late date. That being said, it’s hard to come up with a specific complaint about this record: The lyrics are decent enough; although, they often wind up as tortured teen anthems in the end, like the opening track, "Another Seven Years," “…And they will stand all day to fight, fight, fight they’re fighting for nothing.” The band has masterfully constructed broody and often beautiful soundscapes, but even the most beautiful landscape loses its appeal when you’ve seen it all before. I get the feeling that these guys, all excellent musicians, are trying to simply make their own version of pretty, indie pop and hoping for a hit. That’s the problem. I wouldn’t be surprised if Aberdeen City becomes big on college radio. And maybe you’ll hear them in a grocery store one day. It just sounds a little too…um, accessible. Nothing was a risk on this album, neither lyrically, nor musically. Everything has been scientifically focus grouped to carry a big emotional wallop, but afterwards there’s a residual feeling that you’re a sucker. Have you ever secretly scolded yourself for having your heartstrings pulled by a Hallmark commercial? It’s kinda like that. The Freezing Atlantic is a little too much like everything else that’s out there. It is beautifully executed, but who cares when every song makes you feel like you’re in the final, emotional scene of an episode of the O.C. [www.aberdeenmusic.com]