The Mabuses reviewed
The Mabuses
Mabused
(Magpie)
Tangled in carnival mosaics and gymnasium big band while overdosing on Ray Davies, The Mabuses somehow squeeze out an album.
It takes a number of attempts, mind you — much like the fabled toppling of a vending machine — but eventually Mabused breaches aural defenses. For the majority of initial listens, the album is a semi-likable/mostly unremarkable byproduct of long nights with Kinks albums, made all the more generic with heavy guitars on “June.” But mainman Kim Fahy is a psychedelic at heart, so there are layers to peel and none of them is particularly thin. Once you’re able to shit out the bulky “June,” “I’m The Greatest” comes on like a Beta Band demo with all the vocals jarringly upfront, just slightly (and perfectly) in the way of the background symphonics. And that seems to be the tale of Mabused — you really won’t get locked up in hooks (though they’re there), but unlocking and opening doors to treats, just enough of which keep you unlocking and unlocking and unlocking . . .
— Steve Forstneger
