4Play

Dec. 2, 2007

Angels & Airwaves - I-Empire - Geffen
Let’s start by saying that Angels & Airwaves are being a little - nah, a lot - presumptuous to think that they rate a Star Wars homage album cover - but we’ll let that go for now. Given the songs themselves, Tom DeLonge’s second band is at least proving that they’re more mature and a lot less gimmicky than DeLonge’s previous project (Blink-182) There’s no bubblegum punk here; but there are some surprisingly thoughtful, positively themed punk-influenced songs that range into arena territory a la U2 at times. “Everything’s Magic” combines rich synths and an inspired message, “Sirens” has Edge-worthy guitar work, “Rite of Spring” adds a personal note, and “True Love” knows how to deliver a chorus. A little more humble on the artwork next time, and they’ll be all set.
 

Efterklang - Parades - Leaf
Their name means “reverberation,” just in case you’re wondering - and there’s plenty of that here, wrapped up in a multilayered pastry case of echoing melodies, strings, brass, choirs, organs, and much more. Hailing from Denmark, this is Efterklang’s second album, and in it, appropriate to the album’s title, they’ve lined up a wide variety of songs, each different, yet each cohesively Efterklang. Recorded over a full year and a half, the band carefully and slowly wrote and recorded, alternating along the way to craft these complex and detailed tracks, using a variety of rooms (a hallway and a church among them) to get big sounds, which were then mixed on analogue. Highlights include “Blowing Lungs Like Bubbles,” “Maison de Reflexion,” “Caravan,” and “Mirador.”


Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace - RCA
The Foos are back with The Colour and the Shape producer Gil Norton for this set, which is less heavy than previous efforts, as well as more complex. Classic rock, CSN-style surfaces on “Summers End,” melodic power-popper “Long Road to Ruin” and first catchy single “The Pretender” accommodate fans’ need for the Foo sound they’re accustomed to, and songs like “Statues” and “Erase/Replace” offer up a different, more experimental side of the band’s sound. A couple of songs even feature the Foo’s Dave Grohl singing over not much more than an acoustic guitar (“Stranger Things Have Happened,” which also includes a tick-tocking metronome, and “Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners,” a Grohl duet with singer Kaki King) another interesting Foo move.



Figurines - When the Deer Wore Blue - TCG
The third set from Denmark’s Figurines, while loaded with sonic influences from the likes of Love and The Beach Boys, is still a little reserved at times, but perhaps it’s that carefulness that makes this set so well-crafted. These are pretty, memorable songs, but one senses that singer Christian Hjelm prefers to keep his lyrical expressions vague - whether that’s because he wants you to interpret the songs with your own meaning, or because he prefers to keep his rawer emotions to himself is anybody’s guess. It’s interesting, because that approach both makes you feel left out and makes you want to listen further in case you missed something. Highlights include “The Air We Breathe” with its gorgeous harmonies and piano, “Drove You Miles” and “Bee Dee”.