Destroyer
Kaputt

Strange ensemble these Destroyer.

Everything revolves around the figure of Dan Bejar, curly-haired and bearded frontman, rather shy, lost among three beers and probably stunned by something else. At the keyboard and as a backup singer there's a sweet and soft lady, but anything but comely (you know a truck driver? There you go!); on trumpet, we find a rather unsettling individual, also bearded, who between songs films the audience with a camera phone (meh); I barely remember the bassist and guitarist, practically just physical presences, although their musical contribution must serve some purpose in the band's economy. Who's missing? Oh yes, the saxophonist, reminds me of the classic university assistant, glasses and a clean-shaven youthful face; and finally the drummer... very punk in the way he plays, although on the record they actually make him play the electronic drums.

These are peculiarities that, as you've understood, I noticed while watching this Canadian band live (oh, I might have forgotten to mention someone, there were so many people on stage that night).

Regardless of aesthetics and stage presence, what fascinates me the most is the music, and this "Kaputt" offers plenty of it, and of quality. You know, since I've started listening to it, I really think my life has improved. This album has the ability to transform heat into coolness ("Chinatown"), cold into warmth ("Suicide Demo For A Kara Walzer"), anger into conviction. Even taking the overcrowded bus at 8 in the morning to go to class doesn't seem all that bad. An album for all seasons, effective at any time of the day, for a gentle awakening ("Poor In Love") and a soft night ("Bay Of Pigs"); for a romantic dinner ("Blu Eyes") or a lonely one ("Downtown"); to relax ("Song For America") or dance ("Savane Night Of The Opera"). In short, there are no wrong moments to listen to it.

And forget about all the labels that could be stuck on it: indie pop, indie rock, new wave etc. etc. they're unnecessary. What matters is the music, the wonderful sensations it conveys. Pay attention to the interplay of trumpet and guitar, the melodies between the two voices, comb through every little detail as you listen, you'll even catch some passages of flute, a calibrated electronic touch, and absolutely unexpected moments of catharsis.

In 2011, few works like this. Among King Creosote & Jon Hopkins, Bon Iver, Blackfield, Decemberists, and good old Eddie Vedder, include Destroyer: you'll achieve an understanding of your ego you can't even imagine, you'll feel better or worse, but you'll know yourself better. You'll know what you are and what you want to become.

Knowing oneself is the most challenging and at the same time fascinating thing, let’s use music as a tool for our self-analysis. Let's not neglect it, it's the most precious treasure we've been given. Let's seek its essence, elevating ourselves to a higher level to reach the infinity of ourselves.

For the little story I've told you, my rating is 5, but it could easily be 1. As they say, De gustibus...