JackInABox

by

Turin Brakes

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This is a band that has been around a while. Most people know them because of

The Optimist LP. KCRW used to play their records to death. They had songs

that were performed on Top of The Pops. Strange for a band that more in common

with Simon and Garfunkel than any pop music. Based in Brixton, but their heart

remains in Southern California. Their inspirations lie in some records made in

the 1970s. The first song "They Can't Buy The Sunshine" exposes the British

fascination with good weather. There are ballads like "Forever" which are

splendid. Some fans of people like Damien Rice and West Indian Girl might like

what these guys have been doing for quite a while now. It's very moving acoustic

music made for the soul. This is probably the best overall record by Turin

Brakes.

Being one of the apparent few americans lucky enough to be introduced to the band when "optimist lp" arrived 5 or so years ago, I have been an avid listener and anxiously awaited this new release. Having listened to the album three times in the last three days, however, has left me a bit let down. At the very least, it sounds like turin brakes, so it can't be all that bad. At the same time, there are but two or three tracks on this album that aspire to the heights reached on "optimist" and "ether song". Maybe I was wanting to hear them expand on the sonic bombast that was "ether". It doesn't. It sounds like they have devolved (intentionally?) to something more akin to "optimist", but it's not even close to being as intimate or emotional. I do think the acoustic guitar work is masterful, it's the melodies that leave me cold. The harmonies are vintage brakes. This is not to say that I won't listen to or enjoy the album on some level. It just didn't bowl me over like the last two albums did on first listen. Still, Turin Brakes is one of my faves and I hope to see them headline a tour in the states this year.