Weekly Release Spotlight: Handsome Furs
Posted on 3/23/2009
Handsome Furs
Face Control
[Sub Pop]
Perhaps it was the long months on the road, away from his true love. Or maybe it was her yearning for the rock and roll life. Or maybe it was the lack of catchy, electronic-based music married to broken guitars and ailing vocals. Or maybe it was their aspirations of taking over the world. Anyways, Dan Boeckner (also of Wolf Parade and Atlas Strategic) and Alexei Perry (a short story writer) took their relationship to the next level a couple of years ago and decided to start making some beautiful music. We're not talking about marriage. We're talking about creating an indie electro-pop powerhouse, perhaps the greatest commitment one person can make to another. With their second full-length, Face Control, Handsome Furs have finally gotten out of the rut of being "just a side-project," though arguably, the duo never was.
The album kicks off with one of the new songs fleshed out during their time on the road last year. "Legal Tender" sets the standard for the album. Perry's electronic beats and punchy synth lines set the perfect backdrop for Boeckner's rugged voice and lyrical musing. Not to mention his signature guitar work, a bit more covered up than usual, but interesting and effective nonetheless. Another great track is "I'm Confused." This one starts off with a simple, sawtoothed synth pad before morphing into an upbeat, happy number. Musically speaking, at least. Most of the songs seem to deal with the more serious sides of life, globalization, and the conundrum of interacting with people from behind a screen and a keyboard. The juxtaposition of being more connected than ever but feeling so alone and disparate. It also reflects on touring in the former Soviet-block republics, which reportedly recharged the Furs' creative energy. And, upon learning this simple fact, the greater ideas behind the album become even more connected. In fact, the title, Face Control, was taken from nightclubs in Eastern Europe who turn people away from their paid reservations based on their looks.
If synthy beats and rusty riffs are your thing, you probably couldn't go wrong with any track on this release. They're all solid, well-crafted simple pop songs, firmly rooted in Boeckner's and Perry's influences (New Order, the Clash, Tom Petty). If you listen too closely to the lyrics, you might get a little bummed out, but it's that paradox which makes this album worth repeated listens.
Stream: Handsome Furs - I'm Confused
Written by Andrew Zoellner, Radio K volunteer.