Though citing grunge as its main influence, the Vancouver-based quartet maintains a punk attitude. This is made clear by means of the album’s unpretentious recording process. Best War was recorded at the band’s practice space — ala garage rock in its purest form — over two quick, budget-conscious days.
But recording influences aside, Baby Control does fall into a niche music market. Listeners who prefer broad spectrums of sound and lengthy studio albums will write off the band. Those who enjoy distorted guitars, dampened drums, and blog-styled lyrics — combined with a female singer that doesn’t fret about perfectly hitting every note — will embrace the band’s sound with open ears.
Most of the eleven songs on Best War are built upon the vocal dynamics of Zoë Verkuylen. Between surges of shouting, there are times when she croons verses before swiftly falling into a gentle falsetto. The equally audible instruments are not outmatched in range and purpose; warm guitars play along vocal melodies and the drums keep a mid-tempo pace throughout the album. Feedback-heavy intros and interludes are laced within songs, erasing any forms of monotonous songwriting.
The album’s shortcoming is the repetition in its lyrics, as several words and phrases are sung again and again from song to song, creating a lessening value.
– Adrian Finiak
Baby Control (Ache Records)