Posted in Album Reviews

Fontaines D.C. – Skinty Fia (2022)

Posted on by Michael

The Irish lads of Fontaines D.C. return with their third album.  Skinty Fia sees the band lyrically look back across the water to their native Ireland after moves to London.  The themes of being Irish and living in the UK is examined on such tracks as the relatively upbeat “Roman Holiday”. First single “I Love You” is a love letter back to their home country over a bed of Joy Division gloom and Conor Deegan III’s low bass rumble.

Darkness opens the album with the gothic cathedral sounds of “In Ar gCroithe Go Deo” and the hypnotic line – “gone is the day, gone is the night, gone is the day”.  Singer Grian Chatten sings of love and addiction over the chiming guitars of “How Cold Love Is”. The drums of Tom Coll starts of “Jackie Down the Line” before Chatten takes over, barely taking a breath.

When the band first started making waves, it was Chatten’s deep singing style and introspective lyrics that was the focus.  As the sound expands, every member plays a key role with the drumming of Coll being a particular highlight.  Sold out shows and multiple award wins doesn’t seem to have dimmed the creative light that burns deep in Fontaines D.C. as they release another compelling album even as the rain lashes outside their British homes.

8/10

Posted in Album Reviews

Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest (2009)

Posted on by Michael

In 2008, the Brooklyn formed band Grizzly Bear drew the enviable slot of opening for Radiohead during their North American tour. The four members of the band then headed to Cape Cod to work on their third album that would eventually become Veckatimist. Sung by Daniel Rossen, the album opens with “Southern Point” that contains a jazzy introduction and euphoric percussive chorus.  The memorable keyboard opening and “ooohhhs” to “Two Weeks” are unmistakable on a song that also features backing vocals from Victoria Legrand from Beach House and swooning vocals from Ed Droste.

A cool bass strut opens “Cheerleader” where Droste later whispers the vulnerable, “I’m cheerleading myself/I shouldn’t really matter”. The propulsive guitar powers “Ready, Able” that adds keyboard effects at the end and the steady drumming of Christopher Bear who’s work is often a highlight. Bassist and producer Chris Taylor introduces an effective spare tension in “About Face” that uses spaces to let the music breathe.

What’s remarkable about the album is the intricacy of nearly every song’s introduction that create their own little worlds.  Where your love of Grizzly Bear may start/stop is on the dramatic singing of both Droste and Rossen that can make songs sound like they are ripped from a theatrical play.  With all the pieces together, Veckatimist is a quietly beautiful piece of work that at times can swell from its musical depths and suddenly demand attention before floating away again.   

8/10

Posted in Album Reviews

Wet Leg – Wet Leg (2022)

Posted on by Michael

One of 2022’s most anticipated releases is the self titled debut from Isle of Wight band, Wet Leg.  First single “Chaise Longue” introduced singer Rhian Teasdale and lead guitarist Hester Chambers to the world in a memorable self-directed video for their effervescent and deadpan lyrical track.  The first single was like a beam of light coming through months of sitting at home during the pandemic. Rounded out by three  additional members, the band has gone on to release five further singles on an album that went to #1 in both the UK and Australia.

“Angelica” starts with a high pitched guitar before the band explodes into colour on the second verse as Teasdale sings the cutting line, “I don’t wanna follow you on the ‘gram/I don’t wanna listen to your band”.  “Wet Dream” follows the template with another amusing upbeat track about an ex dreaming about Teasdale. “Ur Mum” has a distinct new wave feel to it.

Several songs travel different routes than the big singles. Hester takes over the vocals with on “Convincing”, the throaty delivery could prove to be a future secret weapon.  “I Don’t Wanna Go Out” is a softer in approach, as Teasdale sings about staring down turning 30 while still doing all the same things she did in her early 20s. The album closes with third single, “Too Late Now”.  The atmospheric track sounds epic with thundering drums and a vocal that sounds sadly emotional while delivering the line “If I thought that you were cool/we would have hung out more in school”.  What sets Wet Leg’s debut apart is their ability to take an indie rock sound, make it memorable and deliver lyrics that are both funny and sad at the same time.

9/10