The Rewards

By Erik Myers

In an interview with now-defunct webzine NY Rock, Stephen Malkmus posited a simple musical theory: “a good voice isn’t so important. It’s more important to sound really unique.”
The statement is up for debate, but for a band like The Rewards, its implication takes a particular twist. These four Fort Collins newcomers aren’t unlike anything ever recorded. One song in and the influence of Pavement becomes obvious. But it’s certainly a refreshing addition to NoCo’s musical federation. In that sense, it is original.
Every way in which the word “lazy” is applied to their debut, Vanilla, can and ought to be taken as a compliment. Even the cover art is a mere photo that can be taken by any amateur.
Clever lyricism is a large appeal of The Rewards. Considering opening track “Tuesdays Never Seemed So Bad,” it seems a little “lazy” to make up a word that rhymes with psychopath, but consider the here-and-there nuggets: “Actually I like the smell of sweat over cologne; I know if I lower my standards I’ll never be alone.” Cyanide-scented sweaters follow.
“Song 15” sees lead singer Oliver Mueller channeling Julian Casablancas to awesome effect (even throwing in a super-subtle reference to The Strokes’ lead singer) as he engages in a vocal duel with brother Jakob Mueller. It’s a little magical.
Well aware that there are two months left in 2009, this reviewer considers The Rewards to be NoCo’s best new artists of the year.
www.myspace.com/therewardsmusic - Scene Magazine