Friday, November 30, 2007

Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends

I first heard of this band a few years back, with the release Inches. Since then I've pretty much been in anticipation of some fresh material. Whenever you're out or at a party, there's always someone stating that there's not enough good rock and roll circulating at the moment, my first thought is that they haven't heard Les Savy Fav.

Rightfully so Let's Stay Friends is possibly one of the better rock releases this year, the album is full of jaunty guitar riffs backed with a jubilant never tiring bass section, even dance rock tags are applied to these guys. "Patty Lee" and "The Equestrian" get the show rolling, putting their upbeat material on show. Seth Jabour must be one of the most underrated guitar slingers going around today. Showing flair and style at every turn, for his more laid back and intriguing playing "Brace Yourself" to his flat out heavy riffing "What Would Wolves Do?", there's never a lack of creativity. Vocalist and main man Tim Harrington's outlandish vocal style adds to the slightly oddball blend of rock.

The second half of the album continues in the same vein of rawkish songs. In "Raging in the Plague Age" and "Slugs in the Shrubs" the punkish nature continues in stellar form. There seems to be a primitive occurence to the music in some way, even the album cover appears that way. They settle things down somewhat with the piano laden ballad "Comes & Goes" and the somewhat pop structured "Kiss Kiss Is Getting Old". The album finishing on a good note with the guitar rocking and brass (that's even done in style) filled closer "The Lowest Bitter".

Les Savy Fav have no doubt supplied one of the best records you'll hear this year, there's is not an unimpressive song here. Every song immediately takes off in one way or another and completely captivates the listener, being the impressive vocals of Harrington or the guitar work of Jarbour, even the interplay of bass and drums, it's all happening. At just under 40 minutes duration you'll have this one on repeat for sometime.

8/10

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