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9/14/08

You & Me


I knew you when I was young... I am pleased that The Walkmen released this collection, and invited me in to share their music, interpreting it how I please. For me, this release sounds incredibly close, something that seems familiar, that's been around for a while, yet simultaneously completely new and unique. The music seems sparse but at the same time small, tight, and deep with purpose. What sounds like a lyric of despair elicits a sense of hope.
Stripped Down... I loved the grandiose, late-night epic production of the walkmen of much of their earlier work. They kept it simple at times, but at many points they erupted into all out noise-rock. This is the Walkmen at their most bare, melancholy, and oddly laid-back sounding. It also sounds amazing! They will never match the intensity and sheer audacity of their debut work, however this may be a close second. A Hundred Miles Off was fascinating work, i absolutely loved the latin influences and the ispiration of Bob Dylan felt on that album. But for dark, late-night barroom jams for the brokenhearted, this album has them in spades. If in a bad mood, this depressing album will strangely make you feel better, as if pleasantly aware of your depressive state. This album is very hard to categorize, and very surprising. It really will make you think your life over, and reevaluate your feelings. It is an epic masterpiece, and evidence that there is no end in sight for the Walkmen.
It's going to be a good year "It's going to be a good year," so says lead singer, Hamilton Leithauser, and is in essence an exclamation from The Walkmen on "In The New Year" from their latest release. "You & Me," their stellar fourth effort is the most cohesive and impressive release they have attempted yet. This is without a doubt the best collection of songs from this band since their beginning on "Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone." This has been the album I have been waiting for The Walkmen to produce.
Seriously, this album is a true gem. "In The New Year" is just gorgeous and my personal favorite--good, god, the organs! The album starts off gritty and grabs your full attention with the bass heavy "Donde Esta La Playa." "On The Water" is very atmospheric and the vocals just carry the listener higher to bliss until it all explodes in a very exciting ending. "Red Moon" is a soft song and is just thoroughly beautiful, particularly the use of horns. "Four Provinces" features some very hypnotic percussions. "Canadian Girl" has some excellent piercing guitar melodies.
This album is successful in many categories. I couldn't find a song I didn't enjoy nor an aspect of The Walkmen's playing that didn't captivate me. The guitars are sonic, droning and blissful. The drums pound, thump and incite my feet to stomp in pattern. The crooning is likely the best Leithauser has shown us yet--very moving. And the bass is just completely soothing. If you haven't been a fan of The Walkmen yet, be prepared to be.