Islands - A Sleep & A Forgetting
(Anti- Records)
(Anti- Records)
You just kinda knew this album was gonna be good. After doing Mister Heavenly and putting out a digital only collection of great solo work (Which you can find Here) Nick Thorburn was on a roll. so this album just seals the past 12 months for him. This is decidedly different from past Islands records. Islands have been known to make well crafted, if not a little silly at times, pop songs full of curious energy and odd flare. This record's sound is softer, sadder and with much more empathy. These are songs that are filled with longing, self questioning and desire. Something we're not used to from a guy who gave us "where there's a will there's a whalebone" it's a refreshing side to see. As for the "Sound" Producer Evan Gordan has made sure this is mindfully less produced than past records so to play to the strengths of these songs. The sound never really gets crazy or too layered which again, is different and nice for these more heartfelt songs. But of course there are plenty of great tunes that Nick Thorburn can't help but write. The guy just oozes catchy. what you really end up loving about these songs is the lyrics. Full of honest sentiment (If penny roams away then I will have lost everything/but in many ways I already don't have anything) and little bit of heart break (I miss my wife/I miss my best friend) you feel for the guy AND you get to tap your toes while you do it.