The 2000s were the years of the 80s revival, the years of what was called the "New wave of the new wave", a trend that was actually quite transversal and contaminated different trends and genres. Think of what was called electroclash.
The '90s were the sharp and brutal negation of the previous decade, even musically. However, in New York, the new indie rock re-metabolized the sound of those years, redefining it in light of the new expressive frontiers that digital music has opened: James Murphy was undoubtedly the one who best redefined the concept of indie rock in the new decade, and not only as an artist, be aware, but also as a producer and record publisher.
It was the end of 2002 when I first heard about DFA records. These were the times just after the birth of the electroclash trend, and I was struck by the attention towards this New York label that was redefining the concept of dance rock music.
In 2005, the acclaimed debut, actually preceded by already successful singles and DFA collections, a perfect double album from all perspectives, with inspired tracks capable of pleasing both indie rockers and dancefloor lovers.
Obviously, two years later, the anticipation for the much-awaited second album was significant: the second album has always been the one the public and critics await to confirm the merit of a debut.
"Sound of Silver" is probably not up to par with its predecessor, yet it is an album that in its shorter length perhaps better encapsulates the stylistic and creative essence of Murphy and company, with tracks that synthesize even more organically the intersection between the return of new wave and electronic and rhythmic contaminations.
Perhaps this time Murphy gives a bit less to the rhythm, less dancefloor and more funk, funk obviously in a strictly post-punk sense, but the impression given by listening to the tracks is that of a stylistically more homogeneous work, even in the highs and lows of the more and less inspired tracks.
A great album, perhaps not the one that will deliver the LCD to history, but an album that certainly sanctioned the stature of the most inspired band of the new returning wave.
Loading comments slowly