Damaged Bug-Hubba Bubba (Castle Face)

Damaged Bug-Hubba Bubba (Castle Face)

Richard Murphy

Thee Oh Sees frontman makes a record that is decidedly not Thee Oh Sees

This is John Dwyer of Thee Oh Sees, but if you‰’re expecting a Thee Oh Sees record, you‰’re going to walk away sorely disappointed. Odd, cheap electronics replace fuzzed guitars as Dwyers main weapon on Hubba Bubba, with results that are largely of the hit-or-miss variety. The greatest successes here hit a danceable psychedelic groove, with synthesizers blaring in all of their Radioshack quality glory. Just like Thee Oh Sees, Damaged Bug is at its best when it throws caution to the wind and embraces fully its bizarre and freakish nature, such as on “Sic Bay Surprise‰” with its clunking, driving drums and guitar which solos somewhat ineptly over the verse. As common as the highs, unfortunately, are the lows. Many times on Hubba Bubba, Dwyer adopts an entirely unconvincing droll, post-punk vocal delivery that ranges from mediocre to eye-rolling in its dour self-seriousness, and there are more than a few tracks that just meander aimlessly in downright boring synth indulgence. While it may be unfair to compare Damaged Bug to Thee Oh Sees, it‰’s almost inevitable, as the best tracks here are the ones that are most similar to Thee Oh Sees, while the worst material embraces their weakest elements fully and completely. For a side project, Dwyer could do worse, and we‰’ve only got a few months until Dwyer returns to his old pals to melt our faces once again.

RIYL: Brian Eno, Bauhaus, Thee Oh Sees, Devo
Recommended Tracks: 3,7,8