DURRY deliver their most ambitious album yet with ‘This Movie Sucks’

Recommended Tracks: “Start a Band,” “Polaroid,” “The Long Goodbye”
Artists You Might Like: Kings of Leon, The All-American Rejects, The Wrecks

Wouldn’t it be great if life could be like a movie? No, not a scary thriller or traumatic action movie, but more of an inspirational drama or heartfelt rom-com. You would always know what to say, and each person you talk to will tell you exactly what you need to hear. You wouldn’t have to worry about where the nearest bathroom is or wonder how traffic is doing, as these details are not that important to the overall plot. And when things get too messy or out of control, that perfect person will walk in or that revelatory phone call will come through or that small miracle you were waiting on will finally happen. Yes, life would surely be easier if it played out like a movie, but if it did, we would not have a riveting new album from DURRY. On This Movie Sucks, the Minneapolis-based sibling duo of Austin and Taryn Durry dive into the complexities of life, touching on those moments that might not make for a revolutionary box-office hit. In the end they give us something better, something real.

From internet bullies to jobs that don’t pay enough, This Movie Sucks highlights the aspects of life that we could all fast forward through if given the opportunity. On the quirky opening track “Bully,” DURRY call out those who try to control others from behind a screen. It is fast-paced and sassy, with lines that playfully mock these internet bullies who don’t actually know their victims. The comments and assumptions can be enough to drive anyone mad or prompt them to unplug, which comes through on “More Dumb.” Here, a creative mix of style and emotion comes out in the form of bright verses, lively choirs of voices, and rowdy indie-rock choruses. All the while, Austin explains, “I’m freaking out / Thinking about / Everything / And nothing at all / I can’t slow down / I’m spiraling out / If ignorance is bliss / I wish I could get / A little more dumb.” A “more dumb” moment might arise when dealing with bosses or co-workers, as we hear on “idk i just work here.” In between the meandering melodies are contemplative acoustic and expressive indie-rock moments, further reflecting a complicated work environment. It all amounts to lines like, “Maybe I’ll win the lottery / Buy myself a lobotomy / Scoop out my brains and maybe then I’ll blend right in with management,” as aspirations to leave a pointless, thankless job can no longer be suppressed.

When it all becomes too much, you can either give up or move on. The title track suggests as much, but instead of pausing or taking on a new task, Austin asks, “Can we just cut right to the montage? / Skip ahead a month or two?” It gets right to the point and does not make room for a happy ending or silver lining, but “Porcupine” does. Here, comparisons are made to various animals like baboons, polar bears, and water buffalo, which you might find in a zoo or other exotic yet confined setting. While the lines focus on breaking out and embracing freedom, the music takes on an indie-pop form, complete with catchy riffs and pleasing melodies. In the act of embracing freedom, one might want to do something impulsive, like “Start a Band.” On this track, DURRY remind us that teen angst and live music go hand-in-hand. We hear, “Can’t play but I’m starting a band / Can’t sing but I’m starting a band / I can’t drive but I’m starting a band / I don’t know why I’m starting a band!” the punk-rock spirit fueling the delusion and driving the desire.

It can take time for energies to shift and thoughts to settle, and when they do, we can have moments of clarity. With “Wannabe,” DURRY offer a bit of optimism by encouraging others to remember that it is better to be yourself than to be somebody else. The vibes are warm as we hear, “You can keep your trophies / I’m okay just being me / Maybe in the end, that is all you really gotta be,” a valuable line with a timeless message. Along with staying true to yourself, it is important to live in the moment. On “Good Grief,” DURRY live with purpose while enjoying life. There is a vulnerability in lyrics like, “Destiny is calling / Leave your message at the beep / But I don’t wanna spend my energy thinking about those kinds of things,” as thoughts about death and legacies come into play. Still, the anthemic indie-rock energy makes this more of a comforting track than a brooding one. On the more stripped-back “The Long Goodbye,” the tone becomes intimate and reflective. With less accompaniment, the lyrics seem to have more honesty to them, as there is nowhere for them to hide. We hear, “We’ll laugh and we’ll cry and before the night is done / We’ll raise a glass for the loved ones we lost / And I know that it hurts and we’re barely getting by / But I swear that it’s worth it to wring out every bitter drop alive.”

Overall, This Movie Sucks is emotional, thoughtful, creative—elements that don’t exactly line up with sucky movies at all. By incorporating different styles and tapping into various expressions, DURRY present us with songs that are all over the place but in a good way. If you want some mainstream pop, there’s “Polaroid.” If you want anthemic indie-rock, you have “Dead Media.” You can scream your heart out to “Monopoly Money” or you can bask in nostalgia on “Slug Bug.” Whatever you choose, it’s all there. All that’s left to do is grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy! And give it a good score on Rotten Tomatoes.