The Can-Do Attitude

The Can-Do Attitude specializes in cosmic cowpunk with a ramshackle sensibility that recalls The Minutemen, particularly D. Boon’s seemingly stream of consciousness lyricism. The self-titled debut also moonlights as N. Lee May’s cultural manifesto delivered like a deranged preacher at the pulpit. “I’m starting to doubt evolution because I’m still here,” he grumbles on “Make Some Money.” Despite scathing social commentary, the album never gets too down on itself thanks to its rollicking energy and a warped sense of humor that borders on non sequitur.

“Anonymous Son” begins with the exclamatory satirical chant, “Hey! Go to Work! Go to Bed!” before things take a bizarre turn as May distracts the listener from the initial premise and instead chows down on a delicious drumstick. “Forget about the people over there. So many people. I’m just gonna keep eating this chicken.” The only collaboratively written track repeats as a surreal choir, “One day we’ll hit an asteroid and all of the corn will be popped,” before building to a dissonant freakout. The band’s comical nature, performative eccentricities, and occasional science fiction references make this a dystopian space cowboy opera that is worthy of The Billy Nayer Show.

-Whurk Magazine