On its debut album “The Dust of Retreat,” the Indiana octet Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s blend Bright Eyes’ sense of hopelessness with Arcade Fire style upbeat orchestrations. Unlike its many indie rock predecessors, Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s bring a refreshing sense of honesty to their music, which is rare in today’s world of pretentious indie rock bands.
Richard Edwards, vocalist and guitarist, writes lyrics that read like a diary entry. He cites specific places and events to invite the listener into his life. Instead of complicating his songs with overbearing themes or lyrics with double or even triple meanings like other indie bands, Edwards keeps his lyrics straight forward. For instance, “On a Freezing Chicago Street” combines his simple lyrics with cheerfully cold music, like a sunny January afternoon, biting and sharp. As the guitar happily strums away, Edwards croons, “On a freezing Chicago street we shook/Your hands were trembling from all those pills you took/And we got drunk on cheap red wine in paper cups.” Edwards doesn’t rely on vague name dropping or fictionalized stories to keep his lyrics interesting. The places and people he mentions seem of the utmost importance to him and help the songs come off as honest and heartfelt. The level of intimacy felt between Edwards and his listeners grows stronger as the album continues and the lyrics become more revealing.
Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s has not reached the masses the way other big name indie bands have. The lack of fame and notoriety has allowed the band to take risks that other more pretentious indie rock bands would not. The band ventures away from the complex melodies of previous songs in favor of simple distorted chords on “Barfight Revolution, Power Violence.”The song surprises the listener with its more traditional rock sound. The opening guitar riff is the soundtrack for a night spent crawling through dark city alleyways. Edward’s voice starts as a whisper and quickly crescendos into a yell as the song abruptly hits the chorus. Edward slams on the guitar repeating several chords which all in turn blend together. A second guitar yo-yo’s betweens chords and sounds more like a low hum in the background. Other indie bands wouldn’t want to stray from their characteristic sound but Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s are willing to take risks and expand their musical horizons.
Though “Barfight Revolution, Power Violence” is a unique addition to the album, heartfelt tracks such as, “Jen is Bringing the Drugs” bring the sincerity found throughout the album to the forefront. The sense of honesty not only comes from the lyrics but also from the way Edwards sings them. “Jen is Bringing the Drugs” abandons the regular octet and focuses on Edwards alone. He strums his acoustic guitar, caressing each note. Edward’s lyrics are sung in a gravelly whisper, a perfect mirror for the lyrics of the song, as both are beautiful yet flawed. Instead of intentionally making his voice sound gimmicky and pathetic to fit the song’s theme, Edwards begins the song with a normal tone but breaks down at end. His voice cracks and wavers as the song reaches it emotional climax as he sings, “Love is an inkless pen/It’s a tavern/It’s sin/It’s a horrible way to begin.” Edwards spits the lyrics out passionately as if revealing a long kept secret.
Without the publicity of a major label or an all star producer, Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s have managed to make an outstanding album with a greater sense of honesty and completeness that other indie bands seem to be too “hip” for. Though worldwide recognition is a goal for many bands, Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s is perfect right where they are.
OUTLINE
1. Back story/Sense of genre
2. Thesis
Unlike their many indie rock predecessors, Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s bring a refreshing array of honest lyrics that are usually few and far between in today’s world of pretentious indie rock bands.
3. Examples
Sense that lyrics are from real life events
Freezing Chicago Street
Not afraid to take risks
Barfight Revolutions
Many other indie rock bands stick to same sound
Way they are sung/orchestrated (not rehearsed)
Jen is bringing the Drugs
Other bands intentionally sound pathetic
5. Summation
Many bands want fame and fortune but Margot is perfect exactly where they are
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