Wolf Parade's 2005 debut album Apologies to the Queen Mary was an interesting mix of quirky synth pop and intelligent indie that was difficult not to enjoy. Songs like Shine A Light and I'll Believe In Anything were infectious, energetic and so full of enthusiasm that you couldn't help but appreciate the sheer fun of it. At Mount Zoomer is immediately a more serious and darker affair. There are nine songs; four Boecnker-led tracks, four Krug-led tracks and one, the epic album closer 'Kissing the Beehive', where the pair duet to great effect. The most surprising thing about the album upon first listen is the fact that Krug's material is nowhere near as good as his contributions to Apologies, delivering what mostly sound like Random Spirit Lover B-Sides. This isn't to say that his material is poor, but rather it falls extremely short of the high standards that he has reached so consistently in the past. Boeckner, on the other hand, is on top form, providing the album's most instantly enjoyable tracks, including album highlight 'Language City'. Perhaps it is unfair to seperate the two in this way, but there is an even more distinct difference between the pair's approach this time around, and it is difficult to ignore. While Boeckner remains quite firmly rooted in the indie pop side, Krug continues to sound even more strange and uncomfortable. While 'An Animal In Your Care' could have had a sinister but intimate quality to it, Krug buries his voice under a mountain of reverb, which makes him sound distant and disinterested. Overall the production seems to detract from the band's sound, lacking the warmth and sharpness of Apologies. The band admitted to experimenting with improvisation during the writing and recording process, but much of the seemingly improvised instrumental breaks lack either any interesting immersive sounds to draw the listener in, or a lead instrumentalist to rise above the noise and carry a melody. Disappointments aside, the album certainly has its merits; 'Soldier's Grin' bounces along with fair aplomb, and the previously mentioned 'Language City' builds to a rousing climax. The ten-minute album closer, 'Kissing The Beehive', is perhaps the most ambitious thing they have ever done, and works brilliantly. Overall, At Mount Zoomer is an enjoyable listen, but is not nearly as fun as the album that made us all fall in love with this band in the first place.
Wolf Parade - Call It A Ritual
No comments:
Post a Comment