Review Summary: Possible album of the year for some, Top 10 of the year material for plenty of sputnikers
If you're one of those people that practically search every day for music and you're always looking for something fresh that will keep you occupied, this is a band that you must look into. This is one of those albums where you discover a fresh sound that sends you on a search of similar bands just to get your fix. Chances are you have no chance of finding something similar to this at all. Combining the strangest compositional song structures with a plethora of different instruments and eerie samples thrown in here and there to keep the feel of this album.
This is where the main draw factor of this album comes into play. The 'feel' of it. If I was to give it a genre name it would have to be something like "Evil Indie Pop" as it consists of all the pop sensibilites of a conventional indie-pop record while excelling past every indie-pop boundry imaginable by experimenting with progressive elements, violins, pianos and cellos and a overall sense of gloom and doom. It feels as if you're listening to an orchestra at the circus with an evil clown as the vocalist.
The lyrics form a great imagery that focus on how humanity is coming to an end, taking digs at religion and humanity in general. But it's done in such a way that you sometimes wonder if he's taking sides with religion or actually going against it. Take these lyrics for example:
"I can show you the way
The lightning rods are like fingers of God
And I'll have you pictured in my head
All of you butchered in your beds
I can have this arranged"
It gives off the feeling he is praying for everyone's death. Just taking a look at the song names and you can see in the parentheses they all refer to disasters of some kind. Man-made and natural. The lyrics aren't always consistant, and
John Congleton's (vocals/guitar/production) voice isn't always in tune, but this just adds to the atmosphere of this album which always keeps you guessing.
The Small of Your Back the Nape of Your Neck (The Blizzard) has the most surprising memorable moment with the end being a cover of
"He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" originally done by Laurie London back in 1958.
This is an album which will appeal to everyone, It has that 'Just one more play' addictiveness and it's so experimental and different that it doesn't become boring after repeated listens, but more-so has you singing along to the sinister vocals because they're so goddamn catchy. Quite possibly the most original indie album this year. With this album flying really low under the radar this year it's a bit of a disapointment to the people who have actually listened to it. This album deserves all its praise it has got from the minority that have listened to it.
Do yourself a favor and pick this up or have a listen to them online somewhere, as even if you don't enjoy it, the weirdness of it will still intrigue you.
4.5/5
