Young And Sexy
Life Through One Speaker

When five bomb disposal experts so skilled that they can construct such a device manage to create such a mess in my synapses, it's always a pleasure! Released in 2003, the second of the three albums released so far by the Vancouver quintet, I consider it the best, the one with more drive, more character, the one that has given me the most emotions.

In general, the songs are played on the vocal interplay of Paul Pittman and Lucy Brain, the founders of the band (incidentally, former lovers and now comrades in adventure), which in the background often recall, even in the arrangement choices, a partnership à la Simon & Garfunkel. Moving in an obliquity of sounds that manages to blend with an entirely indie attitude the '60s pop singer-songwriter style into songs that in a flash deviate to the limits of post-rock, with sudden eruptions of guitar, it's an album that never leaves melody and accessibility of compositions by the wayside.

An example of their style is the track “In This Atmosphere,” which starts slow and twilight with piano and Pittman's singing, then gradually grows, until the imperious entry of distorted guitars takes us on a sonic journey, with drums painting fireworks in the night sky. Perhaps a somewhat crafted song, but damn successful. Another gem is "One False Move," this time played entirely on Brian's modulations, absolutely captivating with its uptempo supported by keyboards and which unpredictably explodes into a garage noisiness between synthesizers and distorted guitars. Finally, I must mention the sparkling "Herculean Bellboy," where an intro based on organ and synthesizers gives way to a '60s ballad driven by piano, speeding up, then slowing down, then becoming elusive, all while talking about the search for oneself: needless to say, it should be listened to at an outrageously high volume, much to the delight of your neighbors and your head that won't stop nodding to the rhythm.

In the ten tracks that make up this album, there's truly lots of great music and especially an attitude of "ruffling" the songs that seems genuine, significantly contributing to the final success. Not always the most original, but personal, it's a very, very pleasant listen, varied and not demanding (heck, it's still pop music!). Almost forgot: treat yourself to the listening of the concluding "ballad on a feather-light spear, pick, piano, and dual voice" "Young & Sexy," which is heartbreakingly beautiful.