Standard Forms of Communication Review
by Heather Phares
45 Spiders' debut album, Standard Forms of Communication, presents a dozen indie rock songs influenced by all the "right" bands -- Galaxie 500, Unrest, the Wedding Present, Yo La Tengo, and Polvo all spring to mind -- that never quite make the leap to sounding original. Despite some clever lyrics ("You're so post, you're pre" from "Carter Stanley or Jacques Lacan?" is a highlight), pleasant melodies, and appealing playing and production, Forms of Communication rarely rises above competency. The result is a very pretty, paint-by-numbers indie rock portrait; with any luck, 45 Spiders' future albums will use a more distinctive palette.
Tracklist
| 1 | Carter Stanley Or Jacques Lacan? | |
| 2 | All Souls Day | |
| 3 | Hot Head Don | |
| 4 | Sickbed | |
| 5 | Northhampton | |
| 6 | Club Anthem | |
| 7 | Hoosegow | |
| 8 | Pentimento | |
| 9 | Another Polvo Song | |
| 10 | Naomi Yang's Thoughts On Bass And Life Parallel My Own | |
| 11 | Me And Seamonsters | |
| 12 | Fuck The Canon |