Ken (LP)


Destroyer

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Amoeba Review

10/20/2017

"Sky's Grey," the opener of ken, the 12th album by Canadian indie outfit Destroyer, starts with an anxiety ridden, clave-like beat that immediately fills the listener with both unease and curiosity. Soon a lazy piano starts playing sporadic chords, punctuated by loose bass drum hits. Singer/frontman Dan Bejar, who is also known as a guitarist and vocalist for The New Pornographers, begins the first verse with a road worn sentimentalism straight out of the beginning of a Broadway show tune. The lyrics are surreal, yet detailed enough to evoke an atmosphere, an intention, and an attitude. "Give up acting? Fuck no, I'm just starting to get the good parts," Bejar narrates, evoking a "show must go on" perseverance against a backdrop of gloom, and riding a fine line between optimism and delusion. Halfway through the song's four minutes a laid back drum fill signals the rest of the band to come in, filling out the sound, covering up the dread of the anxious opening rhythm and ultimately leading to a rich, instrumental outro of dripping, shimmering guitars. Pulsating waves of synth and a coolly muted guitar matching a deep bass line give "Tinseltown Swimming in Blood" an undeniable and hypnotic groove. With vocals that sound like a breathy Leonard Cohen played at the wrong speed, and Cure-like guitar tones, the songs feels like an old friend, while still feeling fresh and current.



Track Listing



Side A Titles
Artist
Length
1.
Sky's Grey
Destroyer 04:05
2.
In The Morning
Destroyer 03:16
3.
Tinseltown Swimming In Blood
Destroyer 04:46
4.
Cover From The Sun
Destroyer 02:13
5.
Saw You At The Hospital
Destroyer 03:30
6.
A Light Travels Down The Catwalk
Destroyer 03:07


Side B Titles
Artist
Length
1.
Rome
Destroyer 05:01
2.
A Light Travels Down The Catwalk
Destroyer 02:34
3.
Ivory Coast
Destroyer 04:48
4.
Stay Lost
Destroyer 02:21
5.
La Regle Du Jeu
Destroyer 04:01

Vinyl
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$24.98
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Also available in: CD
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