BRITISH SEA POWER * VALHALLA DANCEHALL
(Rough Trade Records)
Valhalla Dancehall sounds exactly like a British Sea Power record should. Moody yet energetic; calming yet loud. The band hasn't been shy at saying that their latest is their most ambitious record yet (although it's hard to imagine something more ambitious than 2008's fantastic Do You Like Rock Music?). When I listen to Valhalla Dancehall, though, I don't think it's really that ambitious compared to their previous records, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.
Heard throughout the record are the band's signature songs within a song. They have a way of crafting a pensive intro into a punchy verse into a reflective chorus into an enraged outro, all with a layered sound that makes it seem like 4 cloned Phil Spectors were all behind the soundboard, instead of out murdering actresses. Also pleasantly present is the band's love of tongue in cheek lyrics. Hell, when you hear "sometimes I wish that protesting was sexy on a Saturday night" in the opening track, you know you're not dealing with a band that takes themselves too seriously...maybe that's why Pitchfork hated this record so much.
Heard throughout the record are the band's signature songs within a song. They have a way of crafting a pensive intro into a punchy verse into a reflective chorus into an enraged outro, all with a layered sound that makes it seem like 4 cloned Phil Spectors were all behind the soundboard, instead of out murdering actresses. Also pleasantly present is the band's love of tongue in cheek lyrics. Hell, when you hear "sometimes I wish that protesting was sexy on a Saturday night" in the opening track, you know you're not dealing with a band that takes themselves too seriously...maybe that's why Pitchfork hated this record so much.
The down points are when the band forgets about the sound that earned them praise in the first place. "Baby" is just out of place..it would have been better suited at half its length...and as part of another song. It's a good thing that "Living is So Easy" and "Observe the Skies" immediately pick up its slack.
Rumor has it that British Sea Power will be hitting the road and in Minneapolis late this March. I'm still kicking myself for opting out of their Triple Rock show a few years back, so time to make amends, because Valhalla Dancehall just oozes a solid live vibe.
Rumor has it that British Sea Power will be hitting the road and in Minneapolis late this March. I'm still kicking myself for opting out of their Triple Rock show a few years back, so time to make amends, because Valhalla Dancehall just oozes a solid live vibe.
Grade: B+
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