Fear of Men’s debut full-length album, Loom, proves there can be too much of a good thing. After establishing an inventive and unique sound, it becomes frustrating to listen to the British group continually repeat themselves on their 11-track record.
Fear of Men began three years ago as a soundtrack to university student Jessica Weiss’ film projects for her art degree. The group soon expanded to include guitar, bass and drums. They based their name on a disorder that causes an extreme fear of men, or androphobia.
The haunting start to the album on “Alta” foreshadows the group’s overall ominous tone. Weiss’ delicate yet foreboding voice whispers a troubling lullaby that is both comforting and disturbing. The melancholy undertones are intriguing at first, but after a few songs it becomes hard to distinguish one from the next.
The sense of otherworldliness is established as melodic ideas and lyrical phrases are repeated over and over, akin to a slow burn seen in groups such as The National. This canon arrangement would work fine for one song, but over the course of a whole album it becomes exhausting.
“Tephra” reinvigorates the album with sudden energy and the most evident presence of a rhythm section of all the tracks. Weiss sings, “I could never tell you the truth/You know there’s a price to pay,” suggesting that there is risk involved with complete honesty and vulnerability in relationships.
The most daring choice the album makes comes on “America.” Starting with Weiss singing a monk-like, a cappella chant, the track seems promising as a new direction for the album. However, more instruments are added and “America” quickly gives way to become yet another song that sounds just like the ones before it.
The album ends on a punctuated note with “Atla.” Just over two minutes, the song wavers between begging someone to stay and also promising that, “If you never leave me I’ll never understand you/‘Cause I’ll never know what I could have been without you.”
I loved the uniqueness of Loom immediately and wanted to enjoy the whole album, but at some point 11 identical songs becomes too much. As Fear of Men’s debut, the album promises a great future, as long as they continue to innovate and expand upon what is already an exciting sound.
Rating: B-
