The Besnard Lakes
The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse

THE REVIEW

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.