But on to the music... It's short, folks. In typical fashion for Statistics offerings thus far, there aren't many tracks and the ones that are there don't last very long. After two albums and one EP, their/his entire output could still fit on one cd. One full-to-the-top cd, but you get what I'm giving. But what it lacks in playing time, it makes up for with songs that have been living in my car nonstop for quite some time. I've been enjoying it because it rocks. It's carefree, top-down (except my car doesn't have a removable top, and even if it did I wouldn't right now since it's so blasted hot. I make the 'top-down' reference for the nostalgia it summons in the hearts of those of us who can't afford convertibles, but still long to have music play in them) ear candy.
You know what? I really haven't taken the time to dig through these lyrics. Half the time I don't know what he's saying, and the other half I don't care. I enjoy it because these are well-crafted indie rock gems that are made to be turned up. They're catchy. They enjoy being caught. And they enjoy being sung. The opener, "Final Broadcast," sets the stage nicely for the album: jangly guitars run through any and every effect to be found, electronic noodlings for depth and texture, lyrics that are either painfully obvious or deeply metaphoric (and are actually neither) delivered with deadpan vocals that are nice enough to not be distracting, but are subtle enough to keep you focused on everything else going on instead. The theme then seems to carry on into "Nobody Knows Your Name." In fact, continuity keeps the whole album focused while still allowing Denver to wander off just far enough to keep it all interesting. "By(e) Now" could be the best song on the record, if it weren't for the short and sweet "At The End." And neither are complete until the closing track, "10/22," takes you on an instrumental, musical progressive dinner through the New Pornographer's house for appetizers, Edge's house for some barbeque, and finally Slash's crib for a little dessert. There is nothing not to love about the last track, and as soon as it's done (if you're me, at least) you reach to start the whole thing over again.
Article comments