Courtesy of Quarterbacks’ Bandcamp.
Quarterbacks, one of New York’s most underrated indie rock bands, released a very overlooked record in 2014. Granted, the Quarterboy cassette was quietly released on Double Double Whammy at the end of July, with little of the deserved internet buzz, and that’s a damn shame considering how likable the sound is and how relatable every word out of Dean Engle’s mouth is. (Shoutouts to Rookie and The FADER for keeping me in the loop these past few months.)
To me, Quarterboy is the definition of tenderness- these are boys that recklessly wear their hearts on their sleeves, attempting to proceed with caution. All twelve tracks are short and sweet, barely one-and-a-half minutes long if not shorter, but they are also overwhelmingly heavy with emotion. You feel like you were in the bedroom with Engle as he recorded each tune, or at least on the phone with him while he practiced some demos. Knowing that Engle is an aspiring teacher makes sense in his delivery because each song feels like a fraction of a life lesson.
With the gentle strum of guitars, Engle manages to take us back to those nostalgic times of pure innocence. For me, that era ended after I graduated high school four years ago. Sometimes, growing up scares the shit out of me, but even as I continue to age, my *~*~*feelings*~*~* never seem to change. I’m still vulnerable in certain aspects and this is why I appreciate Quarterbacks. (I also get a kick out of the references to New Jersey and New York.) “Center” evokes that genuine, heartfelt sense of yearning when a crush begins developing into something more. “As I get older I realize that love is mostly situational,” Engle sings softly. Closing the song on that note shows growth in terms of a relationship and even within oneself.
While there are tracks like the newer “Pool” and “Not In Luv” that could be considered whiny as Engle nasally pines over unrequited love, who doesn’t eat that shit up? (Especially when those harmonized whistles come into play). “I thought I’d see you around / not every day but pretty often / now that you’re really leaving town / I just wish I had been more honest.” Engle’s soothing voice makes it less about self-pity and more about raw honesty.
“Why don’t you come over / make some dinner / we can mute the Knicks game / and put on a record,” Engle sings to open the song “Knicks.” There’s nothing nearly as authentic as describing a typical day in the life of just about anyone who wants someone to come over, but the acoustics make the routine seem so much more appealing. The same can be said for the tracks “Sportscenter” and “Rain Delay,” which follow the same lullaby format with a hushed, whispered tone. “Dissection” packs in the most noise, a scratchy confession about taking a Bio course for someone (surely we’ve all been there in some regard). Final track “Prove Me Wrong” is self-deprecating, but there’s just enough hope hanging in the air to make you think otherwise.
Quarterboy is so much more than music that makes you feel sad. It’s about having that tape you can reply on to comfort you if you’re having a shitty day or someone is frustrating you. It’s the friend you can call and confide all your secrets to. It’s the real you, behind that self-branded Internet persona you try so hard to pull off.
Quarterbacks’ self-titled LP is scheduled for release on February 10, 2015 via Team Love. With Max Restaino and Tom Christie added to the roster, the band has a more enriched, established and electric sound (Quarterbacks go from 0 to 100 real quick, ditching the bedroom for the garage to properly channel true “pop punk twee” vibes). You can preview two of its tracks on Bandcamp. But make sure to give this one its due attention, too.