Music Review: Geronimo!'s Fuzzy Dreams

Fuzzy Dreams could not be a better album title for Chicago’s, fuzz-rock band Geronimo! The recent, great 90′s resurgence shares not only sound similarities, but ethos too. Bands like Vivian Girls, Male Bonding, and Dum Dum Girls are embracing the ‘rough around the edges’ sound of the 20th Century’s final decade opposed to the electronica that seems to influence many A-list indie acts at the moment. However, the 90′s aren’t exactly being ripped off – the aforementioned bands are embracing melody, low-fidelity and simplicity, all the while staying undeniably fresh like candy to the ears.

The introduction to Fuzzy Dreams begins with feedback and a host of offbeat sounds that meld together into “Thunderbattles.” The album’s opening track is spearheaded by a warm distortion and shoegaze akin to the sound of fellow Chicago natives Smashing Pumpkins. Luckily vocalist Ben Grigg isn’t as whiny as Billy Corgan.

“Design Yourself a Heart,” takes a different turn, blending intricate guitar riffs and possesses Modest Mouse cred, while the slow building, 7-minute-plus, “Battery Acid Moustache” shows a darker side of the band and their willingness to let the music dictate itself. Guitarist, KJ Blaze, displays an epic double-tracked guitar solo around the half-way point making ‘Battery’ one the strongest tracks on the album.

“Nakajima” displays the band’s softer side, while “Approaching the Skyline” has a confident, upbeat pop sound. Each song is layered and structurally sound, taking in a host of influential 90′s sounds – the drum breakdowns in “Deep Warmth” pleasantly resemble Repeater-era Fugazi while the album’s last, most epic and poignant ballad, “Judgement Day,” resembles Radiohead guitar strums and dreamy Syd Barrett-esque vocal harmonies. As the album softly fades away with a Beta Band-like horn section denouement, Fuzzy Dreams ends on a high note.

Geronimo! has successfully blended 20 years worth of indie and alternative influences into an impressive debut and a sound that ultimately belongs to themselves. Fuzzy Dreams is a complex and great display of the American underground that deserves whatever buzz it receives.

Published by This Zine