Two decades after their first, the 11th album by the American alt-pop experimentalists has a running theme of time passing, with a quieter, slower more lo-fi accessible approach, gentle intricate sounds, even those echoing wind, water and bamboo. From the clanging bell sounds of opener Dragon Slayer to the beautiful melody and ripples of closing quieter ninth track Royal and Desire, the band offer a diversity of sounds, pace and rhythm. Cherokee is quite a chirpy number, Car Keys asks “Why are we In rush?“ How are we doing now?”, while Strung With Everything poses the question: “How many days do we have?” There’s a strange wonder to this album as if it is watching time speed by, but also every moment is a sudden present. While Prester John, for example is a more tripped out, New Age feel, as the toe-tapping Strung With Everything builds, In between those rich vocal harmonies, times there are even parallels with the chipper delivery style of They Might Be Giants. Overall though, as ever, a band pleasing the experimentalists, and playing with time signature, sound and time itself. Out on Domino Records.
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