Random Spirit Lover [by Sunset Rubdown, CD, 2007]

While Spencer Krug's unique vocals, imagery, and wibble-wobble song structure remain intact, <i>Random Spirit Lover</i> showcases great growth for both he and his band as musicians. Spencer's voice... more

While Spencer Krug's unique vocals, imagery, and wibble-wobble song structure remain intact, <i>Random Spirit Lover</i> showcases great growth for both he and his band as musicians. Spencer's voice and unique instrumental choices may scare some away, but with repeat listens, you truly see numerous layers to these new songs. The album begins with the same sound you may have come to expect from Sunset Rubdown on <i>Shut Up I am Dreaming</i> and also from Spencer while performing with Wolf Parade. Songs like "The Mending of the Gown" and "Up on Your Leopard, Upon the End of Your Feral Days" feature the same frantic, yelping and infectious lyrics that have become Krug trademarks. The album takes a turn at "Winged/Wicked Things" and slowly grows and evolves into a more refined yet experimental version of a band that has obviously started to discover their identity. The latter half of the album, beginning with "The Taming of the Hands that Came Back to Life," all the way till the last second of "Child-Heart Losers," features the band's best music to date and also the signs of a band that have become their own entity, far removed from Wolf Parade or Frog Eyes. <i>--Aaron Swetnam</i> less