AWmusic

Whatever was lacking on Treasury Library Canada was made up for Houndstooth Europa. In a sense the second CD of the package is a polar opposite. It’s more Mark Andrew Hamilton’s solo efforts with much less contribution from band members. While songs are stripped down to more a singer-songwriter effort, it’s what was lacking on the previous album. Singer-songwriters have to connect with you from the start and Hamilton does a wonderful job on songs like Oberkampf and Ladybug Ladybird. Feelings, emotions or even song lyrics seemed rather irrelevant on Treasury Library Canada where more emphasis was on the music and instrumentals.

The songs are raw and at its very core. Still, I feel the need to appreciate these rough works compared to the actual release (Houndstooth Europa being an “extra” cd). At times it feels like it could be a live album with sections like “That’s not even the right words” in front of Thoughts on the One Who Got Away by the One He Left Behind or even sections where Mark Hamilton is speaking to get the song in tune with other band members. I think it’s a reminder at its core, Woodpigeon can do whatever they want and their talent is for real, not just another very big band that plays with classical influences.

Still both CDs being polar opposite, you would like to see a mixture of the two. The songs aren’t quite the complete package musically and it’s definitely something that Woodpigeon should look to work on for future releases.

Being a very short album with rough songs, it’s hard to say if I should count this as a “final” effort. Maybe we’ll get to see the songs turn/evolve into songs like on Treasury Library Canada. Maybe not.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Capped off with an electro/psychedelic remix. Definitely unnecessary but it doesn’t hurt. Maybe this album should’ve been it’s own release. Definitely well worth it.

Oberkampf by Woodpigeon
Ladybug Ladybird by Woodpigeon

Tags: album