Late of the Pier - Fantasy Black Channel

Late of the Pier - Fantasy Black Channel
Release Date - Jan 13th (US)
Label - Astralwerks

9.4









ZACH THAT:

I reviewed this album track by track back in septemeber, so I shall re-post in honor of their US release.

HOT TENT BLUES

A blazing intro instrumental to kick start the album. There is not much to say about this track since it’s one building riff over and over with about twenty seconds of breakdown at the end. With that said, it gets my heart pumping and my ears waiting for a synth explosion.

BROKEN

Working like an assist from John Stockton, Broken takes off from Hot Tent Blues and hits us with the first of many catchy hooks. It’s a pure jam with some sort of fax machine synth sound lurking underneath. It takes fifty seconds for the music to cut out and that fax machine sound to take over with the first lyrics of the album: “I didn’t sleep last night, I couldn’t come down.” What follows is a perfect wandering drum beat and guitar riff. With the stroke of a synth key the song blasts back into it’s original melody and taps your toes for you. This beautiful song is a hit ladies and gentleman.

SPACE AND THE WOODS

Probably their biggest song to date and one of my least favorites (still like it, just not my favorite of theirs). The bass line drudges along like a DIVO b-side and just feels way to dated to be a product of these dance music innovators. On the plus side, we have another very catchy chorus that hits you in all the right places.

THE BEARS ARE COMING

Just when we’re leaving the woods…the bears come and start a dance off in your head. This track “kills” as the kids say. A perfect drum beat with blazing synths are impressive, but this is the first song that shows off the band’s use of lyrics. The music is great as always but the singer has a swagger that makes you want to be his friend and borrow his cool sunglasses. This song, only four tracks in, moved me to start thinking about going over an 8.5.

RANDOM FIRL

This is my song…I claim it. A rusted guitar riff springs forth and is interrupted by a bouncy synth that leads to a pristine synth line. It’s a competition of sound and I want everyone to win. Just when things can’t possibly get any better, the lyrics pop in with: “Lately, I’ve been thinking this whole world seems to hard…” Yes, this world is a hard place, it has it’s ups and downs, but Late of the Pier, you’re an up. This is a 9.0 album.

HEARTBEAT

I’m a little scared of this simple synth line…oh, wait, the bass and drums kick in just right and I’m off in dance land again. The first set of lyrics are simple and a little predictable…but, wait…THE BEST CHOURS YET! It’s a hat trick, three brilliant sons in a row. I’ve said synth and exploding a lot this review, but man does it ever again on this track. It goes back into the simple lyrics, but just when I was starting to get tired, yes, the chours is back. Another amazing track. 9.1???? Is this going to be my album of the year?

WHITE SNAKE

Dance music becomes a little more edgy. A little bit of punk can be found in these lyrics and the change is nice. Just as the music feels a bit stale, they do their best Queen impression and change up to a classic piano sound. And then…back to the dance.

VW

This is the song the band should open with on tour. It’s an instrumental track that rolls all the sounds presented on the album into one 2 min 27 sec head roller.

FOCKER

If I had to describe this band to a friend with just one of their songs it would be this one. It’s aggressive, catchy, and just has a bravado that can’t be denied.

THE ENEMY ARE THE FUTURE

I think this track is the band’s one misstep. A really bizarre carnival sounding synth plays over the title of the song as lyrics…over and over. The song builds momentum, but it just seems like getting on that lesser ride after doing the four you came to the amusement park to ride…anti-climatic.

MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN

Doing their best Bloc Party impression, this song has a ripping guitar and very matter of fact lyrics. They get back into their groove with this song and build nicely to the last track.

BATHROOM GURGLE

A perfect ending. The crème brulee of the album. Running at 7:14, the song never gets tired and expands rather than repeating. “Put your hands on your waistline and dance to the bassline.” Yep, that’s what I’ve been doing the whole album guys. Just when the album is about to end, a twist is presented…NO TIME (hidden track) Acting as a separate bassline after the traditional silence, an acoustic guitar strums in with eerie synth sounds behind it. They strip away everything and just speak to us for the first time: “You don’t have the time for me, I don’t have the time for you.” It’s almost a mocking cry to those who will never stay around long enough to enjoy this bonus treat. With listeners just overplaying that one dance song they like, this makes the comment, hey, even dance bands deserve the respect to have their album played fully. I agree…and all those who do will be rewarded.