by Giliann Karon (@lethalrejection)
New York cult duo Frog took a long hiatus before returning with 2023’s Grog, which was four years in the making. Old fans welcomed Daniel Bateman and Thomas White back with open arms, while new fans flocked to their lo-fi charm and wiry instrumentals, enhanced by the 2023 addition of Steve Bateman on drums. Rather than retreating back into privacy, their sixth album, 1000 Variations on the Same Song, builds upon the band’s storied legacy with squirrely riffs and playful references to Taco Bell and Butthole Surfers.
Dan Bateman leans into melodic monotony instead of writing it off as a creative block. “There are times in your life as a songwriter where you’ll start a bunch of stuff that all sounds alike, which can be a problem, something that you want to excise from yourself. This time I decided to embrace it and take it as far as it could go,” the frontman explains. There are few differences between each track, save the smokiness of “DID SANTA COME VAR. IX” or the absurd lyrical flow of “BLAMING IT ALL ON THE LIFESTYLE VAR. V.”
Opening track “STILLWELL THEME” waltzes in with a familiar lo-fi charm. Bateman’s falsetto reaches atmospheric heights before cascading back down to the mortal plane. Minimal production and slice-of-life storytelling give the record a cozy feel, like reuniting with a long lost friend.
The magic of 1000 Variations lies in the band’s ability to create endless stories about fatherhood, labor politics, and the 6 train from the same minimal arrangements. Churning out new tracks in quick succession can deplete the quality, but Frog subverts conventional wisdom by allowing each track to tell new and vulnerable stories..
The softly plucked banjos and jittery melodies are best enjoyed in one sitting, fundamentally at odds with modern-day listening habits. Pared-down instrumentals may try to settle into the background, but Bateman’s wry croon rewards repeat and active listens. Instead of combing through the record to find a song to fit your playlist, put the album on shuffle and take a walk.