Tenement Halls - Knitting Needles and Bicycle Bells

Tenement Halls is the creation of singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Christopher Lopez, formerly of indie stalwarts the Rock*A*Teens. Other than a drum track here or a Wurlitzer there, Lopez wrote, performed and produced all of Knitting Needles and Bicycle Bells. Accordingly, the cohesion and consistency shown throughout the album is not surprising. Lopez is an obviously talented performer, and his charisma comes shining through on tracks like “Charlemagne” and “Up and Over the Turnstiles.” Stylistically, Tenement Halls’ rock music is of the mid-tempo, shuffling, indie variety. While listening to Lopez’s work, one can’t help but imagine how bands like Starflyer 59 and Pedro the Lion would sound should they ever trade in their shoegazing ways. While Lopez’s consistency is commendable, there are very few risks taken here. Much of the album fits within a standard indie-pop formula and does little to deviate from the formula. Eventually, the assent given to Lopez’s songs wears away and fades into a sense of routine. The lone exception, the darker-sounding “Marry Me,” proves an unsuccessful attempt to break from the box and explore other musical colors. Lopez’s songs are likely to resonate with many listeners but fail to provide anything previously unheard. Adhering to the standards presented on Knitting Needles and Bicycle Bells would work well on an EP or shorter album but proves too laborious for a full album’s worth of material. Lopez’s considerable musicianship would be better served in a different context where his lyrical irony and unquestioned passion for songwriting could be complemented by other voices. [www.mergerecords.com]