Album Review: Iwrestledabearonce - Ruining It For Everybody

With ‘Ruining It For Everybody,’ kitchen-sink-core merchants, Iwrestledabearonce, empty the sonicarsenal and toss everything (and then some) into the kitchen sink in order to create an aural
pot-pourri that somehow manages to take everything you fell in love with on the band’s debut, ‘It’s All Happening,’ and crank it up to 11. Yes, ‘Ruining it for Everybody’ sees Iwrestledabearonce stepping their games up in spades, and in just about every category.

First and foremost, a warning – not everybody is going to enjoy ‘Ruining It For Everybody’, which should be made clear. It’s complicated, dense and there’s a lot going on here. Still, for those willing to put the time and effort into this record, you will get out what you put in for sure, as each spin will unveil something new you missed the time before. ‘Ruining It For Everybody’ is as frenetic, frantic and spastic as IWABO has ever been before, though, this time around, the songs are allowed to be themselves a bit more, a product of the enhanced production value no doubt. Frontwoman Krysta Cameron fronts the anarchic chaos crashing down around her (the superb drum work is not to be missed), and conducts her band of merry men on some of their best cuts put to wax yet (‘Karate Nipples,’ ‘Break It Down Camacho,’ ‘Button It Up’).

Again, IWABO, namely Cameron’s vocal contributions, are not for everyone, which causes ‘Ruining It For Everybody’ to lose some of its overall appeal. If you have never experienced this band before, it’s best to begin with baby steps, one song at a time. Still, to utilize a pretty predictable pun, ironically enough, ‘Ruining It For Everybody' doesn’t ruin it for exactly everybody. Pop the record in, press play and let the sonic schizophrenia begin.

3.5/5

'Ruining It For Everybody' is out now on Century Media.

Brian Campbell