BODEGA – All Inside Aquarium

Will the real BODEGA please stand up, because I’m having a hard time keeping up with the Ben Hozie-led art rock outfit. From the mid-pack post-punk of their debut to the novelty thrash punk of last year’s side project—released under the name NODEGA—no one can accuse the New Yorkers of treading water. Unfortunately, there has been one consistent unifying factor throughout: how utterly unremarkable it’s all been so far. Perhaps in an attempt to break the cycle, All Inside Aquarium showcases another new direction, as the quintet serves up a record of straightforward indie rock effort that ticks all the right boxes without ever landing the killer blow.

All Inside Aquarium’s most notable characteristic is that it sounds like a lot of other bands. I’ve heard compilations with a stronger sense of identity. Sure, “All Inside Aquarium” sounds like an unholy fusion of Kula Shaker and the New Pornographers, but wouldn’t you prefer to listen to the originals? Well, maybe not Kula Shaker, but Mass Romantic at the very least. “Weather Me” is the closest nod to their post-punk roots, and probably the closest we get to the real BODEGA, whatever that is, but the polite sneer of “Pick up the Check” is far less convincing. Not so much a dismal Oasis rip-off as a dismal copy of someone else (Kasabian perhaps?) ripping off Oasis, the uncomfortable truth is that it reminds me of Robbie Williams. This is never a good thing.

BODEGA deserve some credit for the decision to record All Inside Aquarium live, but the album’s distinctly flat guitar sound is surely an unintended consequence of their desire to capture the energy of their live shows. And for all its faults, Aquarium is certainly energetic, suggesting BODEGA are probably better suited to the stage than the studio. In many ways, their malleability and familiarity likely make them the ultimate opening act. Absolutely nothing about All Inside Aquarium suggests they’re destined to improve their billing any time soon—regardless of whatever reinvention they have in store for us next time.

All Inside Aquarium is out now via Chrysalis.