Not all experiments succeed. Some fail because they’re poorly thought through, others because they’re poorly executed, and some because people are experimenting purely for the sake of it.
Tame Impala’s “Deadbeat” is a failed experiment. It lacks direction, feels half-hearted and is ultimately drab, bland and derivative. Turning away from his roots in psychedelic rock and live guitar, the sound is now electronic and synth-heavy. Oftentimes this album feels like a first draft, submitted too soon without proper editing.
Given the success of Tame Impala’s (real name Kevin Parker) previous albums, notably “Currents” and “The Slow Rush,” I wanted to enjoy “Deadbeat,” which was released Oct. 17, but despite a few standouts, overall it feels lackluster and uninspiring.
The album opens with its strongest track, “My Old Ways,” which starts with a delicate piano melody. Tame Impala gently sings, “I know I, I said never again/Temptation, feels like it never ends/I’m sliding, powerless as I descend” before the beat drops and he declares, “Back into my old ways again.” Although the same central rhythm continues throughout the entire song, the combination of the contemplative lyrics with exciting electronica prevents the track from feeling repetitive.
Other tracks aim to provide the same upbeat energy, but don’t always meet the mark. The nearly eight-minute “Ethereal Connection” feels like a half-hearted attempt at electronic dance music. Unlike “My Old Ways,” the beat wanders aimlessly, barely enough to sustain the listener’s attention for more than a minute or two.
Tame Impala’s vocals often echo John Lennon, although his lyrics lack the same emotional depth. “No Reply” features some of the weakest, most vapid lyricism on “Deadbeat.” It’s difficult to take Tame Impala seriously as he sings, “You know how it’s like, try to see my side/You’re a cinephile, I watch Family Guy/On a Friday night, off a rogue website.” Delivered breathily over dissonant piano, the track is subdued and melancholic, and unexpectedly drops off, leaving the listener unsatisfied.
“Oblivion” feels thrown together, as if Mr. Parker wanted to experiment and ended up producing a song that should best be left to elevator music. With an opening akin to someone messing around on garage band, the lyrics, like in “No Reply,” lack originality.
When “Deadbeat” shines, we get a glimpse of what Mr. Parker is trying to achieve — a sound that is playful and catchy but layered with introspective, questioning lyrics. However, too many of the songs feel like filler tracks rather than instant classics. If Tame Impala wanted to take us somewhere different with “Deadbeat” it is, for the most part, nowhere interesting. Perhaps he should take his own advice and go back to his “Old Ways” again. After all, that’s what we were hoping for.
