The Album Review Club - Week #191 (page 1286) - Harlequin Dream - Boy & Bear

I said this was unhurried, expanding on this it does that thing where there's a nice rhythmic propulsion but it's entirely calm - in that sense it's almost the antithesis of last weeks pick tbh. Creating that forward momentum on mid-tempo tracks so they roll rather than plod is a skill and this lot can do it.

If this was krautrock we'd be talking about motorik, but it's more a Yo La Tengo vibe

it's not car music, it's not plane music, it's (more often) train music
 
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threespires said:
I said this was unhurried, expanding on this it does that thing where there's a nice rhythmic propulsion but it's entirely calm - in that sense it's almost the antithesis of last weeks pick tbh. Creating that forward momentum on mid-tempo tracks so they roll rather than plod is a skill and this lot can do it.

If this was krautrock we'd be talking about motorik, but it's more a Yo La Tengo vibe

it's not car music, it's not plane music, it's (more often) train music
Click to expand...
The last time I was on a train was in September on the way to Manchester. I was mostly listening to and writing up my notes for Nick Drake that week, but I think I circled back to this at the same time. I nearly nominated this selection before Local Natives in August, so what do I know?

I agree that the train rhythm is unique over a plane and car experience, but I have found that this selection has gone over well there too.
 
On Southern Sun from the album Harlequin Dream by Boy & Bear Dave Hosking sings "As a child I was wonder eyed at the thought that I might know a life in the ecstasy of rock 'n' roll woah-oh I'm not taking it slow" - this is a lie. He may have once been a child dreaming of being a rock star but if this album is the sound of him not taking it slow then he must have a resting heart rate of 10. He should see a doctor.

Lyrically there are hints of passion. sometimes people sweat, rip off their skin, walk through flames and leave cocaine footprints (i'm unsure what he means by this to be honest and cocaine is no longer just available to actual rock stars so you can have both a white picket fence and a crippling cocaine habit. the real cool people die from misusing prescription drugs these days and if I worked in a distasteful Harold Shipman joke here it would be significantly edgier than what is on this album). Recap because this is a long and convoluted paragraph - lyrically there are hints of passion but musically it is tremendously polite.

It's this politeness that makes it a quite pleasant listen but doesn't give enough for me to connect with. Perhaps this is a good thing as when the musicians attempt to stand out I'm distracted trying to work out what it reminds me of. Exhibit A is the guitar line from Southern Sun which is not the same as but is certainly reminiscent of something from Marquee Moon if you were playing that for your mum. Except my mum grew up in much wilder times than now and she drinks and plays poker. She's probably ashamed of how lame I am. Now at this point you will be unsure if I actually listened to any of the rest of the album or possibly you stopped reading when I made the Shipman joke. All fair criticism to be honest.

I did though listen to the rest of it and it was fine. The musicians do their absolute best to not be noticed whilst playing some nice stuff. Highlights for me were Three Headed Woman which had a nice lilt. A Moments Grace was quite nice with a sleepy build spearheaded by the quietest trumpet you'll ever hear. Real Estate might have almost been on Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens and you should definitely listen to that to hear what was lacking for me on this album. Stranger has some nice synth at the start and Arrow Flight has a nice gentle groove. It was weird to me that Back Down the Black didn't close the album as the song with the most dynamism but I think at this point they were committed to being in the kitchen at the party. This I think is a shame and it makes it very easy for me to dismiss.
Perhaps Hosking's has had a dark period but as he has the beast on the leash these days he's doing his best to not get angry and he's keeping his passion subdued. Unfortunately for them I want to watch the Incredible Hulk and not the Adventures of Bruce Banner. Scoring is going to make no sense but it's a 6.5 because it's perfectly fine and enjoyable but also everything it does well I can hear done more to my taste elsewhere. For some that would make it a 5 but that feels pretty mean because these guys have achieved infinitely more than I ever will simply be being fine.

I regret not liking @Black&White&BlueMoon Town nominations more than I do. If you asked me what kind of music I like I would probably describe 90% of what he picks but I guess I'm not as mature as I think I am. I'm like the toddler that sometimes wants a nap and sometimes wants to hit windows with plastic hammers. Something that is kind of balanced and grown up like this nomination makes me want to make racist comments for the sugar rush. Later tonight I will crash and regret my Shipman joke but will learn nothing. Bitterness is a hell of a drug
 
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