Barbelith Underground > Radio & Music

I have resisted writing about this record till i finally had it in my hands, being the honest geek that i am i also wanted nice artwork and packaging so having ripped it a month ago i was still very happy when i got my physical copy yesterday.

I also felt slightly sorry for the Fopp store on Tottenham court road who hadn't had it delivered and were expecting it in today- the assistant looked gutted when he told me he had turned away about 100 customers asking for it... a big fuck up for someone i'm sure.

So onto the songs- i was very ready to be disappointed given the crop of mediocre offerings from Clap your hands say Yeah, Sparklehorse etc over the last year- however this fella seems to be spot on the money- i'm ready to say this early on that we are looking at a potential album of the year.

Black Mirror- the album opener a slow brooding number that starts kind of down beat with Win mumbling lines- slowly it builds up and up, gradually bringing in strings and stabbing counter melodies till we reach a glorious climax with strings bursting out, Fucking great start.

Keep the Car Running- the first uk single- out and out pop with a country/ surf guitar twang to it, again it bubbles and builds till we reach a beautiful anthemic chorus, a couple of false starts "we don't know where and we don't know when, its coming, oh when? is it coming... keep the car running"

Neon Bible- The title track, maybe one of the weaker tracks on its own but in context of the whole record it fits. Kind of like a slow whispered hymn starts with a simple guitar/ piano line and plucked guitar slowly adds humming and cellos. It kindof feels like an extended intro into Intervension- the itunes sneaky preview track from the album- big and bold with church organs- more of a straight forward verse chorus structure, my least favourite track on the record- but still very very good.

Black Wave/ Bad Vibrations- Regine takes the lead vocal on this song of two halfs- starting as an upbeat new romanticy number - half sung in french- midway through the tempo changes and the mood goes black- the vocals change over to Win singing the lead- we build and build ending with explosive drums and doomy choirs singing backing vocals. strong stuff.

Ocean of Noise- An introverted slowy that builds up with mexicany trumpets and lush strings as Win croons "This time we'll work it out"

The Well & The Lighthouse- a joy divisiony/ interpol-esque bass line opens this poppy number that see's Win and regine swapping lines before bursting into a glorious chorus that has trumpets, horns and bells.

(antichrist television blues)- Maybe one of the standout tracks- the springsteen comparisons are pretty valid- but it still sounds like the Arcade Fire at their best as much as anything. It starts like a slice of springsteen americana but with strings that build into a song reminiscent of Rebellion (lies) before climaxing to an abrupt halt. fucking ace.

Windowsill almost feels like a part 2 to antichrist- similar tone hits a poignant note with the refrain "MTV what have you done to me?" and ends with a glorious anthemic choir.

No Cars Go is a new recording of the track from the first ep and it is slightly faster with a big orchestra on it. It doesn't feel out of place and has the right amount of punchy drums and shouts to make you want to jump all over everything. (on a side note The opening with the orchestra slowly bursting to life reminds me of the score to brazil- when the shop explodes at the start or during central services jingle- is this a knowing nod cos they also cover the song brazil live??)

We finish with the stripped down croon of my body is a cage, sparse and doomy with yet more church organs. blloming great.

as you can tell i've pretty much fallen head over heals with this record. The songs seem to have a sense of continuity and its a natural progression from Funeral- looking very much to seeing them live next week, although gutted as a friend claimed he could've got me on the guest list at the porchester hall shows....

anyone else?