|
|
|
BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
LOTD
|
Men in Fur:
Self-Titled
Have you ever heard the song Somebody by Depeche Mode? You know, its that really gentle piano song that makes you roll up your window in mild embarrassment as youre cruising through town and blasting your worn cassette of Some Great Reward through the car stereo. Well, whatever you think of the song, most would admit that it has a very frail and fragile feel to it. While recording vocals for this song, Martin Gore was actually naked in the studio, because he thought it would help him express the tenderness of the ballad better. In a similar gesture, the liner notes to Men in Fur confess that the band enjoyed dressing up in fur to feel closer to some of the animal friends that their gentle synth-pop music describes on this fine release. In fact, the album opens and closes with two bookend tracks called The Messenger, in which the band invites you to travel back in time to the land where people spoke in rhyme making it sound like an invitation to jump into an old fairytale or your favorite nursery rhyme. The band comprises members of The Snow Fairies, a fantastic little synth-pop outfit in their own right, so the music here is quite similar with gentle drum machine, subtle synth lines, male and female vocals, and a lot of nice acoustic strummings. The lyrics are really fun, too. Elisa describes two kids abandoned by their mother and raised by wolves as they come to the startling conclusion that they are not really wolves at all, soon after a nice interlude of quiet howls fill up the bridge. Wolves not your thing? Try The Snake Song, which opens with a little electric guitar. Or maybe The Deer Song, which has some of the most unique synth sounds on the album. You might want to skip The Tiger Song, however, just because the singers impersonation of the tigers meows make me feel like Im in a Meow Mix commercial. But besides that, its a fine track as well. Its tough to pick a favorite, but Sister Moon has to win out in the end. Im hoping this one isnt about an animal, because it describes a romance where two lovers would meet and kiss in a secret place in the garden by the rhubarb. Though after further listening, you could just imagine the narrator of Sister Moon as a bunny rabbit going out to meet his fuzzy friend a bunny rabbit that occasionally rides rocket ships to leave the planet earth, that is; but maybe I should let you interpret some of these songs for yourself. In conclusion, this album is full of sweet, soft little songs that would appeal to most listeners who arent afraid of a little tenderness in their indie rock. And at least Men in Fur are discrete enough to wear a loincloth.
This album can be purchased at HHBTM Records About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
