I’d love to try to review Sunset Rubdown’s “Shut Up I Am Dreaming” without comparing the group to Wolf Parade, but it’s something I just can’t do. I’m sorry. And I don’t think it’s necessarily a discredit to the group, because they’ve got a great sound and great songs totally independent of their Canadian counterparts. Just because Wolf Parade is more commercially successful doesn’t mean Sunset Parade can’t elbow their way into the room.
The group’s front man Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade started the band as a solo project, but has since incorporated three other members. Their input unquestionably has helped evolve the group’s sound away from Wolf Parade, and their predecessor Arcade Fire into something a little more unique. Though at times, the sound still reeks of the Indie Canadian rock those groups have formulated.
And while I’ll continue to compare and compare these groups, I’m in no way trying to belittle one in favor of another. If artists never borrowed from each other or found inspiration in another’s sound, the music scene would be depraved. That being said, I certainly think there is space in the music scene for all to coexist as long as the songs they produce stay fresh.
And Sunset Rubdown’s songs are fresh. It’s one of the better albums I’ve heard this year. There is plenty of experimentation; fun, catchy choruses and a consistent heart beat throughout the entire album that gives it depth. “Us Ones in Between” has a hauntingly wonderful chorus that troubles you and loves you at the same time. That haunting quality is an anthem of the entire work, likely due to the eerily unmistakable voice of Krug. From there, the subtle piano interludes of “Snakes Got a Leg III” compliment the lo-fi fervor quite affectively.
And throughout, the added value of Camilla Wynne Ingr’s backup vocals provides a velvet texture to many of the songs, and softens some of the edges. And even without her, the album has a more feminine quality, intended or not. The peppering of off-key lullaby instrumentals work wonderfully, particularly in “Swimming.”
I could take the easy way out and summate Sunset Rubdown as the little brother or second cousin of Wolf Parade. Godammnit I said their name again. Sorry. But I won’t make that easy conclusion, because it isn’t true. The truer fact is that if you like Wolf Parade, you’ll also like – and respect – Sunset Rubdown, for their own merits. |