Bodyface – No

New York City rock act Bodyface has been on the rise amongst hard rock purists since their debut, but if the release of their sophomore full length, No, is in any indication, the trio is likely to remain enthused primarily by those within their existing audience.  Playing a very predictable brand of straight up 90’s rock, Bodyface attempts to infuse personality with acoustic strums and a bit of a swagger in their step, but end up falling deep in the shadow of bands that saturated the radio two decades ago.  

There’s a certain level of unnecessary adherence to grunge framing No. Bodyface feels like they’re reaching for standards and heights set by legends like Stone Temple Pilots, Queens Of The Stone Age and Soundgarden, but lack the step ladder to make it to equal footing.  Opener “The Razor” exemplifies the sort of over-emphasis on the cliched tough-guy attitude that Bodyface centres their vocals and riffs around.  In the process, tracks like “The Retorax” land in some sort of forced, contrived limbo that’s not quite catchy enough to reach the musical continuity of their radio idols and not quite focused enough for those listening to music off the airwaves.   Frontman Jared Kerr is trying so hard to be like those before them that it compromises Bodyface’s central identity – the band possess very little that they can call their own.  The sound feels flat.  “Dog” and “No” get closest to a memorable chorus in sheer energy and enthusiasm (something that feels very forced throughout), but these moments are fleeting and dissipate soon after they are felt.  

Attempts at landing that personality take the form of underwhelming emulation rather than a modern revival.  For example, instances of slow, bassy acoustic cabaret-rock as per “I Suck,” “Despair” and “Ok” exude elements of Tool and Nirvana but without any of the depth or atmospheric production necessary to match such moods.  “MRI” deviates slightly with the addition of a few bars that bring to mind R.E.M., but it’s a case of too little too late to make much of an impact.

At its core, No feels very self-serving and almost artificial.  Bodyface plays more like a 90’s radio rock tribute band than one that has any intention of reviving the already over-saturated and long played-out glory days. What you’re left with is very one dimensional music that some may argue comes to life on stage, but is lifeless and forgettable on disc.