My Latest Novel
Deaths And Entrances

Three years after the debut of "Wolves," My Latest Novel reach their second, highly anticipated album. An album that should, or perhaps must, be the definitive confirmation. "Deaths and Entrances" is also the album of a partial stylistic change, as the Scots take their music into orchestral indie rock, while still maintaining that post-rock and folk touch even more demonstrated in their previous work. The addition of a certain epic quality is indeed remarkable, supported by choruses that often accompany music with somewhat dark garments, which nevertheless reflect glimmers of light (especially in the more pop moments). And all this fits really well with the lyrics, which talk about life, death, war, but also of missed opportunities and rebirths, moving between purely romantic but also dramatic tones. Not for nothing, the album title comes from a famous poem by Dylan Thomas.

The most assured references are certainly Arcade Fire, Arab Strap, but also the post from Sigur Rós and even fellow countrymen Mogwai.

Compelling and enveloping melodic lines appear right from the initial "All In All In All Is All", where the almost omnipresent intertwining of guitar and violin is noticeable. The same happens in "Dragonhide", which offers moments of maximum emotion once its tense orchestral web reaches the epic outlet. And this is precisely the peculiarity of the album; listen indeed to other tracks like "I Declare A Ceasefire"; the more intimate "If The Accident Will" and "Reappropriation Of The Meme"; the continual mutations of "Hopelessly, Endlessly" and the beautiful conclusion of "The Greatest Shakedown". In other tracks, however, emerge basses in full new-wave style, heavier guitars, and shoegaze fragments; listen for example to the pair "Argument Against The Man" - "Man Against The Argument". For the rest, there remain those few boring moments: songs perhaps too pop for the charts like "A Dear Green Place" or tracks halfway between songwriting and ballad like "Lacklustre".

In essence, then, "Deaths and Entrances" is a good record, with which My Latest Novel could move closer to a larger audience; certainly, something a bit more innovative might not have hurt. Consequently, a few small refinements and touch-ups would be very beneficial for a band that is nonetheless marking a certain new orchestral expression.

Rating: 6.5/10