During the pre-Christmas and Christmas period, I returned – after many years – to my beloved album The Crane Wife by The Decemberists, which became my most-played record of the past few weeks. That made it all the more pleasing to receive the opportunity to review in advance the new release by the Berklee-based indie collective The Iddy Biddies, whose music resonates strongly with that of The Decemberists – almost like a welcome holiday omen.
When The Iddy Biddies first formed at Berklee, the collective set out with a clear sonic ambition: to marry the raw, intimate dissonance of indie pop with the narrative grandeur of Americana. Their eleven-track album The World Inside is the band’s second full-length release and arrives in early March. In today’s flood of experimental, genre-blending records – often refreshing and enjoyable – I must say I find myself increasingly drawn back to more straightforward albums that simply master their chosen genre with confidence.
The album opens with It’s Just a Show, which immediately introduces several of the record’s defining traits: gentle melancholy, emotional pull, and a strong sense of melody. It’s followed by the more energetic, slightly psychedelic Mr. September, which nods toward classic Americana recordings. The vocals surge forward with an urgent cadence, occasionally pierced by a warmly textured electric guitar.
One of the album’s clear highlights is Follow You Anywhere, opening with a memorable guitar riff before settling into a notably more upbeat atmosphere, faintly reminiscent of Drive-By Truckers. Once again, it’s the catchy chorus that steals the spotlight – Gene Wallenstein’s singer-songwriter instincts truly shine here, and this is where the band most strongly recalls The Decemberists.
The songs remain firmly rooted in the conventions of indie folk, steering clear of experimental detours. Most tracks hover around the three-minute mark, which ultimately works in the album’s favor. The title track, The World Inside, carries a Beatles-esque – or perhaps Elliott Smith–like – vibe, once again steeped in melancholy. At times, it feels like discovering a forgotten indie band’s 1998 record and savoring the joy of an overlooked gem.
The album’s middle section is anchored by a strong trio: Believers, Love Wonders Why, and Fortunate Sons. Believers leans into darker territory and stood out to me for its backing vocals, rawness, and a guitar flourish after the first chorus that fits the track perfectly. Love Wonders Why introduces a more synth-driven sound, offering a welcome detour into electronics that recalled some of Belle and Sebastian’s more electronic moments. The same applies to Fortunate Sons, which bursts with energy from its driving intro and, thanks to its socially conscious theme, ranks among the album’s standout tracks.
While writing this review, I realized how difficult it is to single out individual songs – the album feels very cohesive, making it hard both to highlight only a few tracks and to overlook any. The eighth song, Strange World, captivated me from the first listen. Riding a wave of warm acoustic indie pop, its catchy guitar lines – almost Oasis-like – evoke Britpop hits and practically force you to nod along.
Toward the album’s end, the melancholic Words You Like to Say left the strongest impression. As it progresses, the drums inject a powerful energy, while the melodies lean heavily into that comforting familiarity inspired by masters such as The Beatles. The chorus here is easily one of the most infectious on the record.
The closing track, In Heaven’s Lobby, offers a sense of optimism despite the hardships of the current world. “Everything will work in time,” Wallenstein sings – an ending that leaves the listener with a genuine sense of hope.
The World Inside is a cohesive, melody-driven indie folk album that values songwriting craft over experimentation. Drawing on Americana traditions and classic indie influences, The Iddy Biddies deliver a warm, melancholic, and ultimately hopeful record that rewards attentive listening from start to finish.
This album was discovered via Submit Hub
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