The first song on this album is called "Grew Up in the 80's," as if the band's name (Greg Brady's nom de rock), album title (nicked from a Judy Blume book), and choice of producer (the
Cars'
Ric Ocasek) weren't clues enough on their own. Theoretically, this album should be a fun, ironic romp along the lines of
Redd Kross'
Born Innocent or
Teen Babes from Monsanto, early-'80s albums that celebrated '70s suburban culture with tongue planted firmly in cheek. The band is even led by two brothers who write the songs and share lead vocals! The problem is that guitarist
Ansley Lancourt and bassist
Bran Lancourt are no
Jeff and
Steve McDonald. The lyrics aren't particularly interesting and the melodies lack the poppy snap one would expect (the catchy and silly "Kick the Cat" is an exception on both counts). More damaging is the fact that
Ansley Lancourt's voice, a gruff growl vaguely reminiscent of
the Mighty Mighty Bosstones'
Dicky Barrett, without
Barrett's sly wit, is entirely wrong for this style of music. He sounds like he should be singing European death metal, not post-grunge power pop. Overall,
Then Again, Maybe I Won't sounds like a potentially interesting idea indifferently executed.