Arts in ReviewSoundBites (Classixx, Spectrals, Dustin Bentall & The Smokes, Vampire Weekend)

SoundBites (Classixx, Spectrals, Dustin Bentall & The Smokes, Vampire Weekend)

This article was published on July 23, 2013 and may be out of date. To maintain our historical record, The Cascade does not update or remove outdated articles.
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Print Edition: July 17, 2013

Classixx - Hanging Gardens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Classixx 
Hanging Gardens

Classixx (Michael David and Tyler Blake) are not about to claim any “song of the summer” titles like more popular electronic duos Daft Punk or Disclosure have this year, but with Hanging Gardens they have made a more consistent, well-paced dance album than either. It can’t boast of the maximalist house and lyric play of Pet Shop Boys’ “Love Is a Bourgeois Construct,” or the high profile guestlist of Disclosure’s Settle, but it has moments that strike close to the heart of both, as when Sarah Chernoff’s vocals provide the necessary turns on “Stranger Love.” Like most of the tracks here, it isn’t an anthem of hedonist maxims nor strictly a comedown. More an ambient energy that, unlike the genre allotment of an occasional break from assaultive beats, a short breath before the next rush of overpowering noise, Hanging Gardens is almost entirely within the space of relative calm, knowing there’s a storm of distortion and ear-ringing volume just on the other side, but leaving that, preferring a debt to disco (“Holding On,” “Dominoes”) or wind chime rhythms (“A Fax from the Beach,” “Borderline”).

MICHAEL SCOULAR

Spectrals - Sob Story

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spectrals
Sob Story

Spectral’s sophomore release Sob Story is quite a departure from their debut record Bad Penny, an album where Louis Jones provided the lyrics and nearly all the instrumentation, while his brother Will filled in on percussion. In Sob Story, the band employs the help of Chet “J.R.” White, former bassist and producer of both Girls’ records, who beefs up production and successfully builds on the band’s knack for charming power pop tunes. White lifts the duo’s melodic sensibilities out of a lo-fi approach and creates a sound for the band that is broader, deeper and more layered. Vocally, Louis Jones is reminiscent of both House of Freaks’ Brian Harvey and Elvis Costello, and while Louis demonstrates improved crooning abilities on Sob Story, his talents truly lie in conveying heartbreak. While the opening track “Let Me Cave In” has an engaging guitar hook, it’s lyrics like, “At some point I will have to grow … Within a year if I don’t have enough for a wedding ring, let me cave in” that draw the listeners’ attention. Even though Sob Story has a few missteps, the Jones brothers have cultivated the right balance of charisma, clever lyrics and relatability in order to produce a solid summer album.

TIM UBELS

Dustin Bentall & The Smokes - You Are An Island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dustin Bentall & The Smokes  
You Are an Island

The Bentall name is fairly synonymous with Canadian music from the late 1980s and ‘90s. Keeping the namesake alive for the current generation is Dustin Bentall. Dustin, with his band, continues his ascent amongst the alt-country elite with the release of You Are an Island. It’s under the direction of producer Ryan Dahle that this album is relatively short, coming in at just eight tracks for a total length of under 25 minutes, while still managing to find the room to experiment. Much of the album is aimed at the rich, warm and, at times, sombre summer ideals of reminiscing, drinking and the ups and downs of relationships. One of the biggest assets that The Smokes have going for them is fantastic violin work by Kendel Carson. This is particularly true on “Shine,” where you can’t help but love the strong country twang. Interestingly, that’s followed up by the sedated, experimental, “Dreaming of a Nightmare.” Trailing that is the very indie-friendly track “You Are an Island” which hones the haunting backing vocals of Carson. My personal favourite is “Oxford Street,” featuring a simple steel guitar plunk. But it’s a beautiful tale of a friendship gone adrift through winding paths. In the end, what’s offered by Dustin Bentall & The Smokes is a strong, albeit short, country release. The last track essentially sums up how this album feels:  “Pretty Good Life.”

JOE JOHNSON

Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vampire Weekend 
Modern Vampires of the City

If there’s one word for this album, it’s “infectious.” Varied and unexpected percussion acts as a second heartbeat, resulting in an almost irresistible urge to dance and clap. Seldom does a recording capture the pizzazz of a live performance, but Modern Vampires of the City brings the entire band into your head, and they prove almost impossible to kick out. My favourite track by far is the third on the album, “Step.” The dreamy harmonies and harpsichord are the perfect watercolour background to the lyrics: “the gloves are off/ the wisdom teeth are out/ what you on about?” It’s like a metaphor for growing up that is both perfect and matter-of-fact. The voice distortion on “Diane Young” (and briefly at the end of “Worship You”) is a little distracting, but for the most part the clear accent of Ezra Koenig cuts through a complex and delicious cast of instruments and harmonies. This is an album for convertibles and being in love. It’s everything I loved in Vampire Weekend’s previous albums, but with all the fat cut off and roasted to perfection. I guarantee you will want to literally twist, shake and sway your body as you listen to this album – it’s as infectious as malaria, even as it closes with the short and sweet lullaby of “Young Lion.”

DESSA BAYROCK

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