Destroyer - Kaputt

Destroyer

Kaputt

Merge; 2011

A

Albums like this do not come around too often. It is nearly impossible  to describe what exactly makes this LP so incredible, but each time you listen to it you learn a little more about it. Truly good music acts almost like a nice bottle of aged wine. At first it may seem overwhelming and you kind of have to force yourself to be patient. Then as you begin to understand what to expect as you are exposed it  more, you can begin to appreciate what it really has to offer.

The opening track "Chinatown" sets the tone for this flawless LP. Dan Bejar invites you to pull up a nice comfy chair next to a fireplace to sit back and enjoy the experience. One of the things you begin to appreciate about this album over time is the quirky trumpets that seem to tie every song together. These are introduced right off the bat. "Blue Eyes" keeps the same vibe going and is one of the more poppier songs. Dan's soothing vocals coupled with some sultry instrumental play towards the end of the track is when it's easy to get lost in the music. The next track "Savage Night At The Opera" picks up the pace a bit and offers an underlying syth line that might appear in your head later on that will drive you crazy trying to remember which song it came from. Hint: it's this one. 

"Suicide Demo For Kara Walker" is a highlight track on this LP...which is saying something. It opens with 2 soothing intros. The first is an acoustic guitar with faint trumpets in the background that is eventually accompanied by piano. It is then followed by a flute solo that leads you into the first verse. Facinating interviw on how this track was crafted here. "Poor In Love" acts as more of a bridge than anything. It is far from a highlight track, but is a necessary listen to segue into the second half of the album. 

The title track takes you on a journey like no other. There is no need to take this album/track too seriously since there is always an underlying sort of humor to Dan Bejar's music, yet it still comes off as 100% genuine. Towards the end of the track he foreshadows lyrics/riffs that will be seen in "Song For America".  This is part of the songwriting genius that makes this album flow so well. "Downtown" is another brilliant track that does a wonderful job with male/female duel vocals. "Song For America" comes at you head on, so be ready for it. This song offers it all...driving bass throughout it's entirety, along with phenomenal guitar and trumpet interludes. The lyrics are perfectly in between all of the instrumental action tying everything together seamlessly. 

One of the greatest closing tracks of all-time, "Bay Of Pigs", is what makes this album a classic. There is way too much going on in this one to notice in the first listen. It may seem like a bunch different pieces thrown together into some big jumbled mess, but in reality it is one giant masterpiece. The very dreamy first half of the song seems awfully slow in getting any point across, but the song is simply building on itself. At 4:08 we are introduced to the riff that is the heartbeat of the track. Around 6:45 the track starts to begin its slow build and at 7:32 it picks up considerably. One of the things that might seems frustrating about this track is that it seems to stop-and-go a bit much (like this review?), but that is something that is appreciated in the long run. As the track wraps up with what seems to be the first chorus "free and easy, gentle, gentle / the wind through the trees makes you mental, for me / Nancy in a state of crisis on a cloud” you then realize that the entire track has been leading up to this climax and then it ends leaving you wanting more...


Highlight Tracks:
"Suicide Demo for Kara Walker"
"Kaputt"
"Bay Of Pigs"


Other reviews:
Sputnikmusic: 5.0/5.0 (Classic)
Pitchfork: 8.8 out of 10 

WU LYF - Go Tell Fire to the Mountain

                                   

 

 

WU LYF

Go Tell Fire to the Mountain

L Y F; 2011

B+

I have never changed my opinion on an album from first listen to second try as much as I did with WU LYF's debut. There is no doubt I would have given this LP a F after the first listen. Ellery Roberts vocals are about as rough as a strip of sandpaper with thumb tacks sticking out of it. In contrast, the rest of the band just about perfect. The clean guitar is usually the driving force for most tracks while the drum and bass do an excellent job of keeping up. I'm assuming most people will be instantly turned away from the vocals and never give this band a true chance. Believe it or not, there does come a point where the vocals start to blend in with the music in an odd way and it essentially becomes one of the instruments. Trying to follow along to what he is actually saying would be nearly impossible because you aren't supposed to...much like the Hopelandic lyrics used in a lot of Sigur Ros tracks.

"L Y F" is a great opening track and you can almost picture the band walking onto stage one member at a time to this. The bass line that leads you into the first verse is flawless. "Cave Song" gives you no chance to regain yourself after the opening track by starting off with vocals. You are then immersed in beautiful clean guitar riff along with a complimentary drum beat. The ending of this particular track is exceptional. "Such a Sad Puppy Dog" is probably the least believable ballad ever. The singer can't even talk in a serenading voice without sounding like he is bleeding to death. Then again, maybe that makes it even more believable than if Britney Spears were singing about something written for her. "Summas Bliss" and "We Bros" have great intros while "Spitting Blood" and "Dirt" are oddly appealing. "Concrete Gold" is the climax of the album I feel. Such a great overall song and probably the best chorus no one will be able to sing along to, ever. The 2 closing tracks do an excellent job of wrapping up the album. 

While it may seem all over the map and disorganized, Go Tell Fire to the Mountains is an abstract piece of art...it just may take a few listens to see it. 

Highlight Tracks:
"L Y F"
"We Bros"
"Concrete Gold"


Other Reviews:


Sputnik: 4.5 of 5 (superb)
Pitchfork: 8.4 of 10