Thoughts on New Sounds

Whenever a band is setting out to record a new album they are struck with the difficult decision of repeating their previous style(s) or building something new. This is especially tricky if their previous style(s) garnered them popularity/attention. To stick to the tried and true or venture into the wild blue yonder?




History suggests that the truly great groups are the ones who embrace creative evolutions. David Bowie comes to mind, with the evolution of his persona through various characters and musical styles. The modern masters of this ideal would be Radiohead, who moved quickly from The Next Big Grunge Band (Pablo Honey), to Sonic Youth meets Brit Pop (The Bends), to updated Pink Floyd (OK Computer), to DJ Shadow on all kinds of drugs (Kid A / Amnesiac), to synthesized Kraut Rock (Hail to the Thief), to whatever you would call In Rainbows. Liars, who actually opened for Radiohead when I saw them (go figure), have also refused to be pigeonholed into a style or scene. They Threw Us In A Trench And Put A Monument On Top pretty much summed up their feelings, and their musical explorations since have embodied this spirit.

Which brings us to my dilemma today, as I listen to the new release from Foals. Total Life Forever (out May 11th on Transgressive) is the sophomore release from the Oxford quintet, and while it does share qualities with their debut, the delivery and overall feel of the album are completely different. DrownedInSound called Antidotes a “blitzkrieg”, which is pretty much a perfect summation. All of the glory of dance/post punk and math rock thrown in your face, and it was all pretty fucking awesome. Total Life Forever is more subdued, and while the polyrhythm is still there, it’s not nearly as enthralling as before.

Would I call it a disappointment? This seems strong, but it also seems like the perfect case where sticking to your strengths may have been a better call. I must say I love “This Orient.”

Which brings me to Arcade Fire, probably my favorite band in the world. The interwebs insist that they have an album to be released at some point this year, and that those hushed rubbing sounds you’re hearing are me trying to clean up the jizz on my pants. What will this album hold for us? I can’t say I would be disappointed with more massive anthems with an orchestra exploding out of my headphones. But fuck it, Win Butler shock the world: make an electronic album.

What’s In My Ears:
Radiohead – Reckoner
Foals – This Orient
The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio
Sleigh Bells – A/B Machines
Flying Lotus -Computer Face/Pure Being

(Album Download) Liars - There's Always Room On The Broom

~David Ballou