If there’s one thing that i love about The Dears, is how on every song you’re guaranteed to have leadsinger Murray Lightburn singing his heart out for you. From these few new tracks i’ve been listening to it proves no different. Those who have listened to their previous album No Cities Left know exactly how amazing this man’s voice is. Listening to that album felt like listening to some lost britpop album from Blur as Murray’s voice had a striking resemblance to Damon Albarn, even Morrissey at times. But with these new tracks, i think he’s done a good job of distancing himself from those comparisons and coming into a sound that’s more his own instead of sounding like someone else. Just listening to the track “Bandwagoneers” where towards the end has Murray screaming “Heaven knows!….” just gives me goosebumps. Can’t wait to listen to this.
The Montreal-based group also recently signed to the canadian powerhouse label Arts & Crafts (home of Broken Social Scene, Stars, Feist, etc.). They’ll be releasing the new album, Gang of Losers here in the US on…..sigh…..Oct. 3rd. Something to look forward to at least, enjoy these tracks in the meantime.
Gang of Losers
The Dears | “Ticket To Immorality”
The Dears | “Hate Then Love”
The Dears | “Bandwagoneers”
No Cities Left
The Dears | “No Cities Left”
The Dears | “Lost In The Plot”
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I’m less enamoured with this record than ‘No Cities Left’. I’ve been giving it a lot of listens (for review purposes) and I can’t get past the initial disappointment I felt on the first listen.
I’ve only heard those three tracks, but I like what i hear. But as much as I loved No Cities Left, i think it’s important for them to have more of an identity with this album, instead of being stuck in comparisons to other artists. Whether that kind of endeavor is good or bad, i’ll find out.
The first album was very Smith-sy and I agree, it’s important for them to forge their own sound, to stave off comparisons.
I’m interviewing Murray on Monday so feel free to pass along any questions!
Love the blog here, have added you to my links page.
Wow that is so awesome that you’re interviewing him. How did that come about? I can’t wait to hear about it
After much blood, sweat and tears.
Here in Dublin, I’m lucky enough to get paid to write about music. One of the publications I write for (The Irish Times) wanted a feature so I’ll be chatting to him tomorrow (finally, it took ages to get hold of him and the time difference doesnt help!)