Premature Evaluation: Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer
When discussing a new Sunset Rubdown album it's become pretty cliché to list everything Spencer Krug's recently accomplished, but his output remains as prolific as each release is monumental, so it does remains an important piece of the story. Since the massive Random Spirit Lover showed up a couple years ago, Swan Lake released Enemy Mine and Wolf Parade brought you At Mount Zoomer. Now, a little less than a year since Zoomer surfaced and a few months post-Enemy, Sunset Rubdown's delivering their third full-band full-length Dragonslayer. When Krug came through for a Progress Report he told us about a forthcoming marimba EP (what?) as well as misgivings he had about Random Spirit Lover, explaining Dragonslayer would use less studio trickery because "I like [live] kinds of recordings because they're very honest and it's hard to pretend that you sound any different from whatever it is." He wasn't lying.
A large part of Krug's charm is his labyrinthine song structures. You still get that on here, but the tracks do come off as more immediate. Last time we had a dozen songs in about an hour; this time it's 8 songs in 48 minutes, largely because the last track, "Dragon's Lair" breaks the 10-minute mark. So, yes, the mazes exist, but they're stripped somewhat bare -- it does sound more alive, as anyone who's seen the band live can attest. For instance, the noisy "Black Swan" might be the rawest post-Snake's Got A Leg music we've had from the guy. And the haunting organ sound on "Nightingale / December Song"? It feels more direct than Random, which was a very fine album, as is this, but this is also Krug trusting the songs themselves and not piling on the production. Somehow it lends the songs a richer emotional resonance. And part of that's because Sunset Rubdown is a band, not just Krug. On Dragonslayer, he's rejoined by Jordan Robson-Cramer (drums, guitar, and keys), Michael Doerksen (guitar and bass), and Camilla Wynne Ingr (keys, percussion, and vocals), and their increased familiarity with each other shows. There's also a new guy, bassist and occasional drummer Mark Nicol, but you might not immediately know it (in a good way).
Of course, it also helps that the main man still has a way with words. In the lovely opener "Silver Moon," a love song about ballet, hidden wine, fallen trees, and various rituals, among other things, he gives us: "I believe in growing old with grace / I believe she only loved my face / And I think maybe these days are over over now / Gone are the days bonfires make me think of you / Looks like the prophecy came true." Or on the excellently epic "You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)" -- right, an echo of "Trumpet, Trumpet, Toot! Toot!" -- he lets us know: "When me and the boys were out / We killed a thousand butterflies / So I put their wings into my mouth and said a prayer for our safe arrival / And then a big black car crossed our path / And I wondered whether or not that shit was empty." No, it's not empty at all. Really, we might as well quote the fairytale-dropping short story of a closer "Dragon's Lair" in its entirety. What a fucking jam.
The thing with Krug is that even with big songs and concepts, he manages to keep it catchy. You've heard the anthemic rocker "Idiot Heart." Go back right now to just after the 3-minute minute mark when Camilla joins him on vocals and song bursts open. See, it doesn't matter he's singing about his beloved Icarus (though that is some nice icing). Speaking of mythology, though, doesn't "Apollo And The Buffalo And Anna Anna Anna Oh!" sound like the name of a Frog Eyes song? And, considering Dragonslayer includes a "cover" of Swan Lake's "Paper Lace," maybe he's running out of ideas? Nah, he's always liked these sorts of conversations between records -- see, for instance, "Snakes Got A Leg III," "Stadiums And Shrines II," etc. Plus, Sunset Rubdown's circus-time/steel-drum version of the more downtrodden Swan Lake go's an undeniable kick.
You really do get the sense that the aforementioned projects are adding up to something, that they remain inextricably linked no matter the lineup. It's easy to think of it as one giant stain-glass cathedral of sound. What's more difficult to comprehend is why Sunset Rubdown hasn't enjoyed the same sort of crossover success as some other albeit quite different ambitious indie rock acts (see Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective, Arcade Fire). Whatever the case, it's always a pleasure watching him painstakingly construct his singular, strange, endlessly expanding oeuvre.
"This is for the critics and their disappointed mothers." It's also for your Memorial Day BBQ:
Sunset Rubdown - "Idiot Heart" (MP3)
Dragonslayer is out 6/23 via Jagjaguwar.
Posted at 1:46 PM in MP3, Premature Evaluation
Tags: Spencer Krug | Sunset Rubdown
Ballin'
Score = 18
This record is absolutely stunning.. You Go On Ahead is Krug's most perfect musical moment so far in his career, and need I even say that Sunset Rubdown's version of Paper Lace completely trumps the Swan Lake version?
Score = 4
I need to hear this now.
Score = 3
yea i really enjoy you go on ahead aswell... it kills, good record
Score = 1
You actually CAN listen to it right now by pre-ordering the record. You get an instant download of it if you order a cd or LP.
http://www.scdistribution.com/cat/scd_catalognew.php?action=set_site_id&site_id=2
Not that I work for Jagjaguwar or anything...
Score = 15
I'm holding off until I can order Dinosaur Jr's "Farm" at the same time. When it's that going to be available for pre-order Jagjaguwar. I'm getting antsy here.
Score = 0
Spencer Krug can do no wrong.
Score = 13
Animal who? Grizzly what?
When do we start throwing some >'s around? Is it too soon?
Undoubtedly the album of the year.
When they start repeated "a different kind of kill" on that last track it pulls that whole album together so perfectly. Such a rewarding album. So glad I pre-ordered the LP!
Score = 0
Subversively starting the Grizzly Bear/AC equation battle is not clever, neither is misusing an apostrophe, which is properly used to indicate possession or a contraction, not a plural. spaz.
Score = -5
Just an absolutely stunning album. Loving the whole thing, but the last 3 tracks are especially mindblowing. On another positive note, we should expect another Krug album in about 3-4 weeks at the rate he's going.
Score = 12
the best stuff I've heard this year, absolutely brilliant.
Score = 3
The more I hear Spencer Krug's output, the more I find it all weaving together. There's a lot of parts in most of the songs here that sound like they would fit snugly on a Wolf Parade album. I'm not sure if that's good or bad in the end, but since I like most anything Krug releases, I've got no complaints.
Score = 2
has anyone heard the 'introducing moonface' vinyl? the b-side track 'insane love is awakening' is incredible...
Score = 4
Looks cool but don't you think the 2nd movement has too many violins?
Score = 30
Can I use that in a song?
Score = 4
Insane Love is Awakening is such a great song. A lot of people think it sounds like Sweet Jane from V U. I can totally hear it at parts, still an awesome song though; it's been in my head all week.
Dragon's Lair is great. Spencer can do no wrong in my book, the man is a genius.
Score = 4
yeah, was gonna say, sounds like some early vu or bowie...
Score = 0
Wow, I didn't realize everyone would be so in love with this cd, but it makes me happy! I am still digesting it, but it tastes good so far. I absolutely loved Random Spirit Lover, which immediately punched me in the face with awesome. So far, this doesn't seem to be immediately wowing me. But I'm like most of you; Spencer Krug can do no wrong! Can't wait to give it many more listens!
Score = 7
Borrring
Score = -45
A lot worse than Random Spirit Lover. Too bad. Spencer Krug's time is over.
Score = -50
"I believe I acted like a child, making faces at acquired tastes."
Score = 29
"Idiot Heart" is the first i've heard of this album and it reminds me of Joy Division a lot. In a good way.
Score = 1
brilliant. spencer's getting better with each release.
Score = 3
You're not a widow yet.
This album destroys Merriweather and Veckatimest.
Score = 21
doubt it. it is gonna get around 7.5 from pitchfork. not like that means anything though.
Score = -6
"So this one's for the critics and their disappointed mothers, for the cupid and the hunter shooting arrows at each other."
Score = 11
leave me alone, you are creeping me out you fanboi
Score = -21
You know what else is creepy? Not having one positive comment about anything in your history. Cheer up, buddy!
Score = 21
Pitchfork loves to write glowing reviews for Spencer and then tack a 7 at the top.
Score = 8
I didn't like Random Spit Lover all that much. I found it too meandering and tiresome (but I absolutely loved Shut Up I am Dreaming). I'd put this one in the middle, but I'm still getting to know it. It has a chance of becoming my favorite of the three. Its definitely more rocking than the previous two. A lot more guitar and less keyboard driven. Some of it wouldn't sound that out of place on a proper Wolf Parade release. I think that is a good thing.
Score = 1
this is the worst of the three proper Sunset Rubdown LPs. boring.
Score = -21
Aso does Spencer Krug play World Of Warcraft or something? Judging by his lyrics I think he does.
Score = 4
How could anyone vote that down? The faux-fantasy lyrics are one of the reasons I love Krug so much.
Score = 1
"Up On Your Leopard, Upon The End Of Your Feral Days" always makes me think about Feral Druids from WoW. He also mentions trinkets, hunters and loads of other stuff which can be found in WoW.
Score = 2
This album is mind blowing. Spencer Krug must be the hardest working man in indie rock. I found this album to be the best and most melodic of the three releases so far. The second release was probably my least favourite though.
The guys from Wolf Parade can do no wrong. The recent Handsome Furs release is one of my favourites already for 2009.
Score = 2
This is their 4th full length...
1. Snake's Got A Leg
2. Shut Up I'm Dreaming
3. Random Spirit Lovers
4. Drangon Slayer
This is their third "full-band" LP because Snake's Got A Leg was only Spencer.
Just so you know.
Score = -3
The album is Random Spirit Lover, not Random Spirit Lovers...............just so you know.......
Score = 4
"Apollo and the Buffalo and Anna Anna Anna Oh!" is up there for song of the year in my mind
Score = 7
I'm more excited to hear this album than I am about fucking Christmas.
Just the *thought* of him playing world of warcraft makes me giggle.
Score = 2
why would you fuck christmas?!
Score = 7
well played, sir. well played. so you see how excited I am, then?
Score = 0
This album keeps getting better and better with every listen.
Score = 4
With Spencer being a smoker and all, I have this horrible worry that the frequency with which he releases new material is because he is suffering from some sort of illness, perhaps smoking related. At least that's what the fortune teller at the fair told me when I paid her $5...then she shreaked and urinated herself.
Score = -2
Sunset Letdown. There I said it.
Instead of 3 mediocre albums a year - ONE great one, please.
Score = -11
lay off the acid, crispin. or maybe you just havent had enough. this is a great album, though some songs take a few listens.
Score = 4