Tim Darcy Delivers Laidback Punk In "Saturday Night"

Ever feel rebellious, but also just want to silently seethe from the comfort of a chair? Tim Darcy has you covered. His debut album Saturday Night is an indie punk record that doesn't find life in its energy.

For what it's worth, the album does have energy in the form of fun. 'Tall Glass Of Water' opens the record, its chunky guitar riffs ringing optimistically above the dinky beat. Darcy's vocals are lazy and with a certain punk flair to them that (figuratively) screams "I don't care if it's on key or in time." It works in some places, but more often than not it just sounds annoying. This track has a certain perkiness that does help it work in the context of the mood. The laidback punk themes are really evident starting in 'Joan Pt. 1, 2,' where an almost folk delivery sounds very cheerful but almost silly at the same time.

This album doesn't really change dynamically at all. It's the same package all the way through. The cheerfulness of 'You Felt Comfort' and 'Still Waking Up' is a pretty common theme throughout the record. As it progresses, though, there are a few subtle mood changes. There's psychedelic energy in 'Saint Germain' that gives the dirty guitar a more appropriate home, the crashing percussion rolling as lazily as the track moves. The difference with this track is that the laidback themes is in every part of this song, not just one. The album's end is a bit more peaceful, 'Beyond Me' containing symphonic elements and a generally soothing vibe.

The core of this album really brings it down. It's the midway point of the sound getting old and Darcy trying very hard to make something different in the record. 'First Final Days' is where the sound starts getting stale, while title track 'Saturday Night' sounds like a crappy David Bowie song. It tries entirely too hard to be something that it's not. Beyond those songs, he begins to sound more comfortable trying new sounds out, but it very much kills the flow.

Tim Darcy delivers laidback punk in Saturday Night, and it's an acquired taste. It's sedition in its laziest form. There's a lot more going against this album than there is going for it, but it does have some shining moments. In the end, it's just uninspired and sounds downright lazy. If you don't care for the rebellion you want to start, then wait for that fire to build up. Don't deliver it haphazardly.

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Favorite Track: Saint Germain

Least Favorite Tracks: Saturday Night, First Final Days

Rating: 60 / 100

Buy or listen to Saturday Night here: