Slow Charm

Slow Charm by the Figgs is a mostly solid collection of pub rock/pop-punk music. However, it contains a few slow songs and an occasional bland vocal performance, plus it doesn't quite convey the inspired sense of rollicking fun that separates a great album that immediately grabs your attention from an agreeable album that requires time to sink in. Consequently, some Figgs fans may consider it to be a bit lackluster, although it holds up well against most of the competition. In any case, the songs are generally appealing: "Sit and Shake" is basic meat-and-potatoes rock & roll; "Public Transportation" is an unhurried not-quite-melancholy song about a lost child that's hooked around the repetition of the word "sad"; "Metal Detector" is a pleasing power pop number with theremin added for extra flavoring; "Static" sounds like early XTC doing ska; the not-quite-funky "Soon" is reminiscent of Joe Jackson's "Look Sharp" with some extra keyboard plinking; and both "Back to Being" and "The Trench" are relatively catchy. So while the band doesn't always sound like they're on fire, this is a likable album if you give it a chance.