There have been a lot of successes for Milton, ON's Most Serene Republic. The suburban sextet was the first band without Broken Social Scene ties to be signed to Arts & Crafts. Following that they released two albums of smart indie rock that created quite a buzz around the band.
The band has now released their third full length, ...And The Ever Expanding Universe. This record represents a crossroads for the band. They are poised to make a serious breakthrough and a lot is riding on this album.
One can be very optimistic about the chances of Most Serene Republic's success. The album opens with the raucous yet elegant clatter of "Bubble Reputation". That's followed by the engaging banjo-meets-computer clap-along "Heavens To Purgatory".
Our hopes are short lived however. ...And The Ever Expanding Universe quickly falls into a series of polished and sleek overproduced atmospheres. These lacklustre tracks hit you like a heartless and soulless Stars cover band.
We get some brief glimmers deeper into the album. The unlikely "Patternicity" is a symphonic instrumental featuring elaborate arrangements. Vocalists Adrian Jewett and Emma Ditchburn exchange and harmonize on "Catharsis Boo" to create a Cocteau-like dreamscape (minus the nonsensical vocals).
"Don't Hold Back, Feel a Little Longer" is the oddest track on the album. Beginning with a churning synth line reminiscent of Le Tigre's cover of "I'm Still Standing", the song just degenerates from there.
While there are some moments where Most Serene Republic impress, ...And The Ever Expanding Universe is an effort that falls short of expectations.
Best tracks: "
Track listing for ...And the Ever Expanding Universe:
- Bubble Reputation
- Heavens To Purgatory
- Vessels of a Donor Look
- Phi
- The Old Forever New Things
- All of One Is the Other
- Patternicity
- Four Humours
- Catharsis Boo
- Don't Hold Back, Feel a Little Loonger
- No One Likes a Nihilist
5.0/10
0 praise/complaints:
Post a Comment