Unsigned Artists

"Picture this: The Pixies and Fugazi are playing a show together (for all purposes we’ll say in Allston, MA) but the discotheque located next store has its sound system cranked and random shots of danceable, funktastic tunes keep breaking through the sounds of post/indie-punk. If you are creative and imaginative enough then you may be able to picture The New Dumb’s latest EP, This Could Be Disastrous:  six well-varied songs which blend hooks and grooves with stripped-down indie/punk rock.

The album begins with the energetic “Princess,” a well driven song with a deadly bass line that serves as the perfect intro to the album.  The follow-up, “Cross-eyed Bear,” is a bit more laid back, but no less enjoyable... not to mention it has a great vocal harmonies.  “Rather” and “Awfully Good” both exhibit a good blend of post-punk smarts and pop appeal. But it is “Colossal” that is likely the finest track on the CD, being a perfect amalgamation of their various styles.  The final song “Unbelievably Unsuccesful” is a nice way to close out the disc, having a mellow vibe similar to “Cross-eyed Bear.”

Musicianship is more than coherent by punk standards, and you can tell these 3 cats have enough experience playing music with each other that they are in the “groove.”  The bass playing is especially noteworthy throughout the disc, with admirable drum work and guitar playing accompanying it.  The multitude of vocals is a nice touch and the vocals are raw enough to have the indie-punk appeal, yet in key enough to not make me loathe it like much old school punk-rock. Overall this album may not be to the scale of a tsunami but it will hopefully make some waves in the scene for this hardworking band.  The New Dumb have been at it for a few years now and this is album is a positive step forward for any band.  Good songs, Good hooks, and a real nice package for the CD."

- Independent Clauses, December 2006