The Walkmen
A Hundred Miles Off
The last album by The Walkmen, 'Bows and Arrows' was a real favourite of mine and in 'The Rat' featured a track that would easily make the starting 11 of the best songs ever (probably as a tireless, attacking full back) ...but then they seemed to disappear for a while. Their new album is a beauty, and while they haven't changed much since 'Bows and Arrows' and that is no bad thing. I just love their sound: all saloon pianos, shambolic guitars, irregular drumbeats and a howling Dylan-esque vocal. All this loosely hangs together and is heavily reverbed, making it sound as if you have just walked in some bar somewhere, mid-set and they couldn't care less whether you like them or not.
A few songs tick all the boxes for immediate favourites. Album opener 'Louisiana', with its brass section and Mexican-fiesta feel, the driving/drunken singalong of 'Lost in Boston' and mournful closer 'Another One Goes By'. But there is enough quality here to suggest other songs will come to the fore after 6 or 7 listens. Early frontrunners: 'Good for You's Good for Me' - which has the nice line "I don't get some people/but I don't really try", the slightly sinister 'All Hands and the Cook', but my money is on 'Don't Get Me Down (Come On Over)' and its awesome guitars.
Enjoy.
26th Jul 2006 - Tumblr
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