Hi, everyone. Crunveni Bintano here, the internet's busiest music nerd. It's time for a review of this new Crunven record, Ala Sawa. Okay, well, this is the latest full-length LP from Texas Trio.

Hey, get out of there. I live here. This is Mi Casa. What are you doing in Mi Casa? You live there?

That's where you're living?

Well, yeah, this is where I live. I'm living here. And if you're going to be looking at Mi Casa, you're going to see me. So keep your nose out of Mi Casa.

Okay. Well, yeah, this is the band's fourth full-length album, solo anyway. In 2022, though, they did drop a collab album with Malyan's singer, V. U. Farkatore, which in concept wasn't a bad move for Krunben, as I think stylistically, there is a lot of crossover appeal there. Plus, Tori is exactly the artist who would fit into this band's creative rubric, as their records often sound like one of those fantastic rare finds that you would pick up while crate digging. Some obscure, exotic instrumental rock gem that sounds like it was recorded somewhere outside of the US and lost in the sands of time over the decades. I've often thought that while these guys do have some great band chemistry and some cool vintage throwback production, their songs do usually feel like they're missing something, be it direction or strong melodies or a vocal, just something that is going to make things pop. But Croonbin is several records deep at this point. You have to presume that as they are continuing to forego that stuff, they're doing it with intention, they're doing it for a reason, they're sticking to what they know and focusing on pure vibes. I mean, even the Tourie record I was referring to earlier, while it does embrace the idea of bringing on some lead vocals, the singing on that album is often washed out.

It's mixed pretty low, and playing second fiddle to the band's in sing Nostalgic Grooves, which the band is leaning even further into on Ala Sala. They are getting back to Krunben Basics with those warm, simple, groovy baselines, sparkling, shimmering, jammy, and They're psychedelic leaning guitars that are loaded with flavorful licks and chord phrasings and drums, of course, that are flawlessly tight and on tempo. The throwback production vibes strike once again, too, as the band's sound continues to not be low fidelity, but maybe slightly limited fidelity as the bass is not as round and thick and as overpowering as it tends to be on a lot of modern albums. Meanwhile, the mids and highs sound at least a little dirty and dusty much of the time. It's clear the band doesn't want anything on this record sounding too crisp, too digital. I do appreciate that attention to detail and that sense of emersion that the band is bringing on this record. But what continues to be uninteresting about the albums that Krunben comes through with is just the writing. The music is so wallpaper. The Grooves are undeniable. They are there. They exist, but they're not visceral.

They don't really ramp up or progress or reach a point where they are ever exciting. Meanwhile, the guitars are very pretty. I can't deny that. But the playing and soloing and writing do their best to veer away from anything that might be too stand out, too fiery, too aggressive. As repetition and subtlety, once again, are key, major or attention-grabbing progressions along the run time of these songs are pretty nonexistent, too. We may hit points on any number of these tracks where the band chemistry is turning the heat up just a little bit. They're getting louder. That is a nice thing to hear in an era where many modern records come across as so bricked out and inorganic. Much in the same way something like the new Black Keys album, for example, can sound so rough and fuzzy on the surface, but at its core be as soulless and as artificial and as formulaic as any mid-tier pop artist debut. But despite all this, truth be told, I really struggle to see the appeal of this album and what the band is doing on it for me, as I will take memorable writing over a decent palatable vibe any day.

One of the most unintentionally hilarious moves on this record is that we legit have interlude-type songs shoulder to shoulder with tracks that pretty much sound like interludes anyway. Because even when I'm trying to engage with what Croonbin is doing on this record, it just ends up falling into the background over time, regardless. Much in the same way it did on their last full-length Mordechai, which one thing I can give Ala Sala is that the tracklist does sound a bit more varied. The organs on A to Jean, for example, are a little spooky. That's a surprise. There are also a few standout songs in the tracklist that feature some very light and breezy vocals that despite being presented in a very sleepy fashion. They are catchy. But when it comes to vintage funk rock, frankly, there are a lot of options out there, both new and old, especially old. I would much rather prefer to listen to a lot of that stuff, especially since it is so widely available on the internet. I mean, all of that vaguely, psychedelic, exotic rock from the '60s and '70s, there's really no shortage of that stuff either. I mean, you can find those exact kinds of albums at your local record shop for one or $2 in the Usben right now.

If it happens to be something that you would pay top dollar for because it's more sought after, you can stream it online for free. Chances are it's going to be more interesting than what you're hearing there because it's the real deal to Krumbin's pastiche. I do think there is a time and place for a record like this. I won't lie. Maybe playing over some loudspeakers at a posh hotel lounge, being DJed at a bar where the drinks are just way too overpriced. I also won't deny, the band is obviously great live when you look at the various performances and recordings of them out there doing their thing. But I don't know, on record for personal casual listening, just on my own, I just don't see the appeal. I would just prefer to listen to something, anything that's actually trying to be memorable in any way or leave an impression on me of some sort, which is why I'm feeling a strong 4 to a 5 on this one. Tran. Have you given this album a listen? Did you love it? Did you hate it? What would you rate it? You're the best, you're the best.

What should I review next? Hit the like if you like. Please subscribe and please don't cry. Hit the bell as well. Over here next to my head is another video you can check out. Hit that up or a link to subscribe to the channel. Anthony Fantano, Krungbin, forever.