Blake Solomon
04/17/07, 11:25 PM
The Twilight Sad – Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters
Label: FatCat Records
Release Date: April 3, 2007
The Twilight Sad seems to be sending mixed messages. An album titled Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters, coupled with their, well, sad band name could turn off many intelligent listeners. I was one of those intelligent (just let me pretend) listeners who superficially said, “Gee, I wonder what type of music this could be?” However, upon sitting down with the album, I instantly lost all preconceived notions.
This isn’t an album of throwaway pop-rock with intermittent screams. This isn’t some dude with a few electronic loops and a broken heart. Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters is an album that is equal parts indie, folk, and experimental. A handful of tracks feature the accordion, which will always be my favorite instrument that is squeezed. The Twilight Sad, mostly thanks to singer James Graham’s poetic, Scottish delivery, can literally transport you to a land forgotten by too many as a musical powerhouse (Arab Strap, Belle & Sebastian, Travis).
The 9 songs contained on this debut LP are fantastically diverse (and lengthy). The album clocks in at almost 45 minutes, at which time you will have to resume folding laundry or whatever boring task was at hand before traveling to the hills of Scotland. Opener, “Cold Days From The Birdhouse”, takes the normal rock formula and elongates it with piano interludes and long, atmospheric riffs. The Twilight Sad does not miss any chance for a jam session. Graham’s voice is intentionally masked in “I’m Taking The Train Home”, giving the song a two-for-one feeling. But, as Graham ends the song, rolling his R’s on the word “green”, you realize just how much he was missed as the discordant guitars quietly extinguish themselves.
“And She Would Darken The Memory” is more proof of The Twilight Sad’s never-ending versatility. The song starts with the echoed, vibrating guitars typical of a Sigur Ros song. As they fade into the background and allow Graham (with less of an accent here) and the drums to lead, it’s simple to see the big picture: Music should convey mood. And this year, nobody has kept me emotionally engaged quite like The Twilight Sad.
Recommended If You Like: Interpol, The Besnard Lakes, maple syrup, Arab Strap, crying during movies, anything Trent (takingbackrufio) likes
Label: FatCat Records
Release Date: April 3, 2007
The Twilight Sad seems to be sending mixed messages. An album titled Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters, coupled with their, well, sad band name could turn off many intelligent listeners. I was one of those intelligent (just let me pretend) listeners who superficially said, “Gee, I wonder what type of music this could be?” However, upon sitting down with the album, I instantly lost all preconceived notions.
This isn’t an album of throwaway pop-rock with intermittent screams. This isn’t some dude with a few electronic loops and a broken heart. Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters is an album that is equal parts indie, folk, and experimental. A handful of tracks feature the accordion, which will always be my favorite instrument that is squeezed. The Twilight Sad, mostly thanks to singer James Graham’s poetic, Scottish delivery, can literally transport you to a land forgotten by too many as a musical powerhouse (Arab Strap, Belle & Sebastian, Travis).
The 9 songs contained on this debut LP are fantastically diverse (and lengthy). The album clocks in at almost 45 minutes, at which time you will have to resume folding laundry or whatever boring task was at hand before traveling to the hills of Scotland. Opener, “Cold Days From The Birdhouse”, takes the normal rock formula and elongates it with piano interludes and long, atmospheric riffs. The Twilight Sad does not miss any chance for a jam session. Graham’s voice is intentionally masked in “I’m Taking The Train Home”, giving the song a two-for-one feeling. But, as Graham ends the song, rolling his R’s on the word “green”, you realize just how much he was missed as the discordant guitars quietly extinguish themselves.
“And She Would Darken The Memory” is more proof of The Twilight Sad’s never-ending versatility. The song starts with the echoed, vibrating guitars typical of a Sigur Ros song. As they fade into the background and allow Graham (with less of an accent here) and the drums to lead, it’s simple to see the big picture: Music should convey mood. And this year, nobody has kept me emotionally engaged quite like The Twilight Sad.
Recommended If You Like: Interpol, The Besnard Lakes, maple syrup, Arab Strap, crying during movies, anything Trent (takingbackrufio) likes