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Rating: I must have missed something along the way, but it's been a long time since I heard an album like this. Is it possible in 2007 to sound like a late '60s band yet still maintain a contemporary feel? Judging by what's currently going through my synapses, absolutely yes!
The dark soul dancing through this album has a sound born from all the "other" rock sounds of these recent years, mixed in equal measure, all simultaneously, flowing like magma to forge a monolith ready to be adored. Let's analyze the sound: placid, dark, psychedelic, lysergic, west coast, pop à la Beach Boys, progressive, space-rock, post-rock; in one word: elegant. A bit like when two people look at clouds, and for every puff of wind, each sees different things, yet they both agree that they are beautiful clouds. Each track is meant as a complete little experience: all lengthy (nothing under 4 minutes), they have the time to grow and envelop the listener in an opiated smoke in which, when you least expect it, but with a naturalness synonymous with talent, an orchestral piece starts or there's a spark that allows it to escape the genre label you were ready to slap on it.
It's hard to resist a track-by-track review (especially since there are 8 tracks), but I can't help but mention the "psychedelic and post-rock Beach Boys with orchestra" of the opener "Disaster." A calling card that clearly states the tone the album will take soon, with gems like "Devastation" or "Because Tonight." Undoubtedly, the prize for the best track goes to the lysergic ballad "And You Lied To Me," which I can't imagine what it would have been like if sung by the Interpol singer. My intellectual honesty compels me to say that not all is perfect gold: the venial sin is "On Bedford And Grand," decidedly tedious and lacking inspiration, while "For Agent 13" has stunning music, marred by lyrics that don't blend too well (even if there's a section halfway through that is amazing; it's like hearing the best moments of Sigur Ros from Agaetis Byrjun). Another note goes to the way of constructing the lyrics: often a concept is expressed at the beginning and then reiterated throughout the rest of the track like a bit of wallpaper on the sonic tapestry, but I believe that in this album, words are much less important than the music, which is damn beautiful.
In case you're wondering, yes, you're right, the band is from Montreal, headed by the (artistic and life) couple Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas, and the album features the "usual" guests from various bands like Stars, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and The Dears.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Disaster (05:42)
Baby, I've got some words for you
When you get up in the afternoon
But you're not at home
You're out there alone
So I've called to capture devices for spies with vices
Generals have fought for spies like you
Our lady with secrets written all over her body
But I've heard you lie
I've read your file
You knew to gather your life's work and shred it to pieces
Baby come on, baby come on, baby come on
Baby baby won't you come on
Baby come on, baby come on, baby come on
I think there's someone here to see you
You've got disaster on your mind
They see the secrets in your eyes
They've got disaster on their minds
If they were to find you on their side
Baby come on/Disaster on your mind
02 For Agent 13 (05:12)
my baby, don't go
I never meant to feel that way
my baby, don't go
to be so haunted by a touch
my baby don't go
I'll play it back every day
my baby, don't go
nothing is fair in love and war
my baby, don't go
I'll write you a love song
my baby, don't go
I'll love you whenever I'm wrong
my baby, don't go
I play it back every day
it's your love, don't tell them what you know
they have ways of making you tell them
he messed up
forsaking our love
it's your life and it's your love
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