Artist: Morning 40 Federation
Album: Ticonderoga
Label: M80
Tracks: 12
Review By: Jacob Gehman

If a musical artist’s talent was based entirely around band name, album name, and album artwork, Morning 40 Federation would find themselves three-strikes-you’re-out. The band name has eight syllables (count them: mor-ning-for-ty-fed-er-a-tion) which cause the tongue to flow around like a wet fish when spoken aloud. And if you thought the band name impossible, then good luck with “Ticonderoga,” which is apparently a New Orleans community. And every time I look up this album art online I become grateful that my review copy came without any.

Instead an artists talent is absolutely based on the musical results. It is in this arena that Morning 40 Federation makes things like band name, album name, and artwork mere petty details. They sound like they found influence from bands like Primus and Ween, while adding a pinch of The Residents and good rock n roll, while playing it in a bluesy swamp. Despite my inability to enjoy Primus, although I highly respect their talents, and even less so my enjoyment (or even ability to respect) Ween, this combination really works for Morning 40 Federation.

Amid the swampy rock, queer little falsetto vocals crop up here and there. This is where The Residents’ comparison comes into play most. It lends certain songs an almost whimsical feeling, despite the alcoholic nature of the lyrics. Morning 40 Federation’s songs frequently extol alcohol use and other questionable activities, but rarely do the lyrics take center stage to the music driving it. But what most differentiates Morning 40 Federation from the aforementioned Primus and Ween is that it doesn’t sound like the band is trying to be something that they’re not. The music just oozes freely from the speakers.

Not every song on this album is stellar, but the listening experience as a whole feels complete. From beginning to end interesting, fun things happen. Ticonderoga is recommended for people who like any of the bands mentioned in this review, as well as anyone who just wants to try something different.