The alternative rocking quartet from our neighbors to the North (i.e. Canada, for those not in the U.S.) do a song-for-song cover of the classic jazz-rock album from the band Steely Dan.
The tracks are presented in the same order as the original so direct comparisons are easily made. While the original version cemented its classic album status by weaving jazz harmonies into classic rock songs to create intricate and indelible song structures this new incarnation tries to push the envelope one step further by incorporating acid jazz and trip-hop beats into their versions of the songs.
This updating works better on some songs than it does on others. For songs like the already trippy "Aja" and "Home at Last," it seems like a more natural update to make the song more palatable for a post-millenium audience. However for songs like the more standard-sounding "Peg" and "Josie," the integration of modern techniques actually takes away from the simple beauty that allowed you to examine the hidden depth of the songs.
While it was a grand idea to remake an album that relied heavily on its jazz-rock sound and updating it with a more modern acid-jazz take, this release from The Darcy's fails to improve upon the original. Then again, when you're trying to improve upon one of the greatest rock albums of the 70's, there's not a lot of room to move up. This album gets an above average score for its sound and its creativity but the original is still a ten out of ten.
Score: 7/10
Song(s) to Sample: "Deacon Blues" and "I Got The News"
The rockers from New York release their seventh studio album.
This time around the band takes a lighter stance than on their previous albums forgoing the darker sound that permeates some of their older releases. Even the slower, more reflective songs like "When I Was Young" don't have the harder edge you might expect from the band instead turning the song into one of serious introspection.
The album is also meticulously crafted such that even if you aren't a fan of the type of music the band churns out you should at least appreciate the clean and expertly engineered sound from the disc. The music is richly layered with both instruments and vocals coming across clean and well balanced.
While the music on this disc is the lightest and most accessible of the band's career, it doesn't have the depth nor the complexity of their best works. It's a great introduction for new listeners but fans of the band will find a couple of tracks to their liking but, more likely, will be left wanting.
Score: 6/10
Song(s) to Sample: "When I Was Young" [sample it below] and "Teenage Dreams"
Also hailing from New York, Chairlift is a electronica/synthpop duo who are best known for either their 2009 MTV Breakthrough Video nomination for "Evident Utensil" or, more likely, their 2008 song "Bruises" which was featured in a heavily played iPod commercial.
On this album they go for a greater throwback feel with heavy 80's-esque synthesizer work mixed with mid-90's downtempo house music melodies. The overall effect is you get less catchy and more overproduced songs than on their last album. That's not to say that the music is bad on this album, but instead of going for something new-sounding and original we get more soothing, retro-inspired synth driven tracks.
Overall, Something is a very good sophomore album but let's hope for more growth by the time we get to album number three. There's nothing wrong with looking back musically but the somber and sometimes simplistic songs on this disc hide the potential that once shown so brightly on their debut album.
Score: 7.5/10
Song(s) to Sample: "Amanaemonesia" [sample it below] and "I Belong In Your Arms"
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