Got this album about a month ago and have been listening to it pretty consistently over that time, and I definitely am pretty impressed with what the Walkmen have layed down this time around. An understated 60s throwback, chill-rock (60s easy listening?) record that is hard to describe in a concice term, obviously. The album starts off easily enough with a single crash symbol, easy toms, and a quiet, unassuming bassline on the awesomely titled Donde Esta La Playa, while interspersing jangly lead guitar which blasts in from seemingly nowhere accompanying ramped up vocals. The norm that Donde Esta La Playa establishes carries forward in a really nice way, even if Donde is in fact one of the strongest tracks on the record. Minor wavers here and there, up and down, but no drastic spikes in the sound make this a very good record throughout a complete listen through. Hit the jump for the full review.

This album very lazily meanders through its 14 tracks, using the echoey vocals and guitar to drift from one song to the next while occassionally hitting the listener over the head with some blaring guitar notes or those belted vocals, and the change between the two makes for an interesting listen almost all the way through. This album is also exceedingly positive in the lyrics (”Last year’s Christmas was black and blue, but this year’s white.” “There’s one more silver lining…” “I know that it’s true – it’s gonna be a good year.”) and it’s a nice listen. Even the songs that talk about breakups or the like are positive….it’s like the anti-Modest Mouse.

I say the album is an interesting listen “almost all the way through” because there are definitely a couple of tracks in there which never seem to get off the ground and are a little bit of a setback on the album (Red Moon, Canadian Girl), but it’s a minor gripe, because in the middle of this lag, they fire right back and slam the listener with the awesome flat out gasoline of Four Provinces. Don’t get me wrong, there are some tracks, such as the instrumental Flamingos (for Colbert), Long Time Ahead of Us and New Country which are sweet, slow songs, but which are cunningly simple, yet beautiful tiny songs that can still fill space nicely. They are not of the same nature of songs that “never go anywhere,” but are delicate and beautifully done.

Again, some of these songs are thick with their nods to the 60s, and nowhere is this more apparent than on If Only It Were True, In The New Year and especially on I Lost You. I actually think my dad (who hasn’t listened to any new music, period, since the 70s) would really like this record. Although there is a definite throwback feel to this album, it in no way feels tired or like a retread. This is fresh stuff and gets better the more times you work your way across the album. It’s gonna be a good year, indeed.

Daigle Rate: 86

The Walkmen – Four Provinces – You & Me
The Walkmen – In The New Year – You & Me

Very limited remaining US Tourdates, and I think I’m going to miss them in favor of The Roots Saturday, but here you go:

10/10 – The Parish – Austin, TX
10/11 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX
10/12 – Hi Tone – Memphis, TN
10/13 – The Basement – Nashville, TN