Archive for the ‘Said The Whale’ Category
Said The Whale – Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia
You know how they say that today’s Vancouver is like Seattle back in 90′s? Well, after listening to Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia by Vancouver-based band Said The Whale I think it’s safe to declare this statement as being true.
Back in the day, and I’m talking late 80′s, early 90′s Seattle used to breed exceptionally good bands. Right now it seems to be Vancouver that has some sort of substance floating in the air that makes people want to pick up their Strats and Les Pauls, get behind the mics and audio consoles and start writing music with their friends. And I have to tell you – I, along with many people across Canada, am very much pleased with what they’re doing.
I really can’t say a lot about Said The Whale simply because I don’t know what I could possibly say that would make you want to go and check them out live when they’re in your town or buy their album or at the very least – go to their myspace and listen to some of the tracks (the latter is something you should definitely, absolutely, totally do… no exceptions) And once you’ve done that – I think it’s safe to say that you’ll become addicted. I have. And trust me – it is, by far, the best form of addiction…
The first track, “This City’s a Mess”, is what I call a perfect album opener. It has this drive and quality to it that makes you want to keep listening to the record even if you don’t instantly fall in love with the next song. The good news is that this stands true for every song to follow. “Curse of the Currents” is a song that makes me want to introduce a new term – “a perfect third track”. Very warm sounding composition with some beautiful guitar and delicious-sounding bass. The next “perfect -nth track” is my personal favourite – “My Government Heart”. Even if you don’t like the instrumentation on this one (and you really should consider seeing your doctor in case you don’t) – you will most likely appreciate the lyrics. It’s definitely one of the best songs I’ve heard this year.
The entire album feels very thought-through and still manages to emit the indie vibe that we all know and love. And please don’t get me wrong, I mean good kind of indie – INDIE at it’s best. The album is not overly produced and all the songs are full of life. It’s a very live-sounding record. Every track is in it’s place and it really feels like you’re being told a beautifully composed story (with introduction, thesis, body, climax and prologue in their rightful places).
Like I said before – I don’t have much to say about Said the Whale and their Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia but get a load of this – if you are looking for an indie album that’ll make you wish for more – these guys are “indie at it’s best”. I’m bloody telling you.
Said The Whale – My Government Heart
