Whitman news since 1896

Whitman Wire

Vol. CLIV, Issue 6
Whitman news since 1896

Whitman Wire

Whitman news since 1896

Whitman Wire

Review: Barcelona’s ‘absolutes’

Weaving melodic lines throughout all tracks on their soon to be released album “absolutes,” Barcelona has scored a hit with the mainstream indie-pop crowd. Within the first few days of listening to the album, Barcelona quickly climbed to the top of my playlist and started to regularly provide a soundtrack to my life.

While no track on the album is likely to stick with me and be an aural marker for remembering this point of my life, they let my mind wander just enough to make writing that last paper a little less painful. The ability to transcend the moment is the band’s strength, and the songwriting and majority of musical accompaniment play to it.

Barcelona’s sound is haunting and addictive. Their unsettling melodies are usually laid upon a driving beat providing a sense of purpose to their music. However, on a few tracks like “Please Don’t Go” and “Get Up, Get Up, Get Up” the melody is left to stand on its own. It is on these tracks Barcelona stumbles slightly, trying to take a page from Radiohead’s book, but crumpling it in the process.

On the tracks that have the support of a groove, Barcelona shines. “Absolutes'” tracks are reminiscent of a mash-up of Keane, the Stereophonics and Coldplay. The driving beat anchoring the tracks like “Falling Out of Trees” and “Stars” will instantly feel familiar to Death Cab fans. These tracks, among others, were the ones I returned to again and again.

To address the indie snobs who just read the previous paragraph and have completely discounted my taste in music as well as this band, I say just give it a listen. Like Death Cab and previously Coldplay, Barcelona precariously straddles the no man’s land between mainstream and indie-pop sounds. This mainstream influence is not a reason to rule out this band. Songwriter Brian Fennell excels at articulating abstract feelings in his lyrics. Fennel’s eloquence is unsurpassed in pop and, arguably, in the entire indie gene as well. Through these expressions, Barcelona is sure to speak to many who otherwise flee at the mention of Death Cab and their Atlantic Records existence.

So set your preconceived notions of indie-pop aside and shove “absolutes” in your CD player after its Sept. 25 release and give it a chance. While the experience might not be earth-shattering, it will be pleasurable and you’ll probably hit repeat.

Rating: 7.5/10

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