Review
For M83, the band named after one of the heavens' picturesque spiral galaxies, the element of surprise is gone. In its place are equally fantastic and sky-high expectations. The American debut of M83 (essentially now just Frenchman Anthony Gonzalez) was one of 2003’s pleasant surprises; Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts earned a cavalcade of critical kudos praising its vast cinematic tapestry, a soaring mix of electronica-inspired soundscapes and My Bloody Valentine-like guitar drones. On Before the Dawn Heals Us, Gonzalez relies on the same template, for better or worse: layers and layers of keyboards and guitars, with the emphasis on shifting dynamics. He alters the focus slightly by bringing more lyrics into the mix this time, though with varying degrees of success. Gonzalez' voice works quite well as a foil for the full-chorus backdrop of "Don't Save Us From the Flames," whereas the sentimental "Farewell/Goodbye" sounds like leftover Goldfrapp. Like a lot of primarily instrumental music, M83's sound runs the danger of becoming aural wallpaper, and at some point during either disc there dawns a moment when you may not remember which record you're currently spinning — followed by the realization that it really doesn't matter.
-John Schacht