Shout Out Louds
(Merge)
After two fine records, 2003's debut Howl Howl Gaff Gaff and 2007's Our Ill Wills this Swedish bunch decided to take a bit of a break and see the world. Leader Adam Olenius took some time to live in Melbourne, Australia for a time. When the band reconvened they felt fresh and ready to record. And where else might that happen but in Seattle with producer Phil Ek (Shins, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, Mudhoney, etc.). Work is a nice middle ground between the debut record's sprightly tones and the sophomore effort's more restrained songs.
The simple yet effective opener, "1999" is a strong opening statement, perfectly setting the tone for the rest of the record while "Fall Hard" begins with supreme melody and Olenius' soaring vocals with the sublime chorus, "If you fall hard, I fall harder." Later the low-key "The Candle Burned Out" starts with a lower register rhythm section and never quite breaks out of the gate even thought you think it will on a few occasions and the record's best track "Throwing Stones" sits squarely in the middle of it all. A few of the tunes on Work are a bit too breezeless ("Play the Games", "Paper Moon") but on most of this they have put their (near) best foot forward. Still, having said that, I think this band has a classic in them and none of the three records, while all very good, have hit that mark yet. I'll bet record number four will take over small countries.
Standout Tracks: "1999", "Fall Hard", "Throwing Stones", "Show Me Something New" TIM HINELY
