Now bolstered to a quartet and, aptly, on album four (D being the fourth letter of the alphabet), Texas’ White Denim still don’t quite fit in. Once tarred with the garage revival brush after a misleading single (Let’s Talk About It, from debut Workout Holiday), then overlooked after a stunning follow up, Fits, they now find themselves out of kilter again, with an album that tries to condense their unusual influences (Tropicália, dub, 70s Americana) for newcomers, but without ever really hitting the spot.
Cruelly, an album released online for free to no fanfare whatsoever last year (Last Day Of Summer) is streets ahead of much of D. Therein was sonic texture, a variety of pace and super-sweet melodies that are absent now. Practically every one of D’s 10 tracks is underpinned by Joshua Block’s skittering, ever inventive drums. But they never slip slower than frenetic, and the result, coupled with overlong songs and guitar noodling, leaves even the most hardened fan cold. Is And Is And Is is a highpoint, while Drug manages to skirt lyrically and suggestively around its subject without becoming blatant. But these are fleeting moments of satisfaction.
White Denim are truly great and, live, their chops are unquestinoable. Perhaps they have too many ideas; perhaps being a rock trio suited them better; but D, cruelly, seems a good mark for D.
