Chin Up Chin Up - This Harness Can’t Ride Anything

2006, Suicide Squeeze

On paper, this record has a lot going for it. But in the stereo, it tends to disappoint.

Even though producer Brian Deck has done some amazing work like (Califone’s excellent Roots & Crowns, Iron & Wine’s flawless Our Endless Numbered Days, and Modest Mouse’s landmark Moon & Antarctica), Chin Up Chin Up’s This Harness Can’t Ride Anything proves that a great producer does not always equal a great record- especially if he’s stingy with the studio magic.

Unfortunately, Deck’s name—not his work—seems like this album’s greatest asset, and his affinity for weird processing shows up only occasionally. Also missing are outstanding songs: sure, the writing is okay, but it’s not great. And the sound is nice- the overall album has a fun beat- but the songs are not as arresting as they could be.

On This Harness Can’t Ride Anything, everything is in its right place: the drums pop, the guitars ring, the keyboards add the perfect filigrees, and the singer is never lost in the mix. All of this implies that Chin Up Chin Up have some great records in them. This just isn’t one of them.

C+