Casey Jarman
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Chores’ debut EP, Life is Hard, sounds kind of like a debut EP. For every promising harmony and inventive guitar twist, there’s a first-draft lyric or clichéd Rolling Stones-style lick. In some towns, Chores’ finer points—the instrumentation sounds great and Chores’ complete lack of pretension is downright charming—would be enough to make them the best pop outfit going, but here in Portland the band’s pop blends all to easily into the background. If Chores can perfect the balancing act between keeping its music fun and throwing a bit of lyrical-emotional substance into the mix, you’ll find me front and center.