Michael Cera, Canadian actor and indie heartthrob, took on another role Aug. 8 when he validated his role as a musician with the release of his first full-length album, titled True That.
This surprise album was his first full musical venture, though he did play a few songs for the Juno soundtrack.
However, the album falls short.
Though he tags the album as alternative, modest and dirty, it makes for a cliché indie album that sounds like it was made in my friend’s basement, which guarantees subpar vocals and plenty of cheap beer.
This album falls into the self-created genre called cookie-cutter indie. Independent music is supposed to be a genre that rises above the usual verse-chorus-verse format, but it doesn’t do its job when all indie songs sound the same.
Though it’s an easy listen to have in the background of another activity such as cleaning or sleeping, it just sounds slapped together and forgettable.
Track number three, “Clay Pigeons,” is enjoyable, but it comes as no surprise that it is just a cover. Though the song is well-executed, and I would definitely listen to it again, it is the only one that sounds put together.
Track number five, “Of A Thursday,” starts out nice. It begins with a simple tune on the piano that sounds pleasing, but it goes downhill from there. It sounds as if the piano decays more and more out of tune, becoming more obscure as the song continues, but not in a good way. I like when artists take their songs out of the box, and I hate stale melodies, but this just sounds directionless.
Although listeners likely understand that Cera was probably trying to be cute and obscure, and not looking to win a Grammy from this album (I hope), that is still no excuse for it being flat-out dull. Every song lacks real fervor, and a lot of the instruments sound blatantly out of tune. If a musician doesn’t even care if his instruments are tuned, it can be difficult to take him seriously. Some songs in the album are decent, but none are worth raving about.
If he were writing this album for the soundtrack of an independent film, then it works great, but I doubt that’s what Cera had in mind. This music would be perfect to play behind a scene of two 20-somethings frolicking in a garden, filmed with an old camera. But other than that, I can’t find a place where it fits.
I was excited to hear this album because I like Cera and his quirkiness, but he disappoints on just about every level. None of his spunk is evident in this album, and it just stumbles flat. This album puts listeners to sleep, which is almost a blessing because it’s so bland.
However, I know this album isn’t universally hated because I have friends who have been listening to it religiously and enjoying it every time.
I guess this album just isn’t for me, but I can’t see why it would be for anyone. I give Mr. Cera props for releasing it, but background music just isn’t enough.