What is it with all these adjective-animal bands that keep popping up? I’ve already listened to Freelance Whales, and I have Frightened Rabbit coming down the pipeline. Let’s see a little more creativity there, indie rock bands. Creativity, I know that’s asking a lot from you, as you all seem content with borrowing each other’s sound and not bringing anything new to the genre, but maybe it’s worth a shot.
Anyway, as you might be able to tell, Miniature Tigers don’t quite do it for me. Luckily, their 2008 debut Tell it to the Volcano is under half an hour, so I didn’t have to endure it for too long.
My big thing with music is individuality. What makes a band different? What’s that element that I haven’t heard before? While listening to Miniature Tigers, my answer was “absolutely nothing.” They have the tired indie rock set up: guitars, bass, keyboard and vocals, all delivered normally and unenthusiastically. Singer Charlie Brand comes off as a bored Ben Gibbard, which, believe me, is just as obnoxious as you would think. They also do that thing that every indie rock band has been doing, trying to incorporate some background harmonious vocals. Ever since that freaking Grizzly Bear album, every band and their grandma has to give those oh-so-pretty/artsy vocals a shot.
So if you’re looking for something that’s been done a million times before, but delivered even less convincingly than usual, then by all means, check out Miniature Tigers. This record could put an ADHD kid who’s all jacked up on Mountain Dew to sleep.
Swole Ear 
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