Review: Bishop Allen – Grrr… [2009, Dead Oceans]
Toronto – In the future, Bishop Allen will release their 3rd album. It will be called ‘Grrr…’. By future, I mean March 10th. “Grrr..” will be the Brooklyn duo’s first album since being featured prominently on the indie darling flick ‘Nick and Nora’s Infinite playlist’ starring Michael Cera playing the same awkward teenager he has been playing for years now. Apparently being featured in the movie has given the band quite a boost in popularity as they played a sold out show in TO not too long ago. This is a stark contrast to the last show they had here (at Lees Palace) which was about as empty as the next Chris Brown concert will be. What a beating! I say his career is done. Maybe him and Michael Vick can join up and do some kind of reality show or something.
For those unfamiliar with Bishop Allen, they are a indie pop band of the gentle variety. I guess they sound like Page France or an upbeat version of the Shins. They rely on catchy melodies with a quiet guitar and other delicate instruments to construct most of the songs. They could almost be consider a twee band. I Wade really likes them. I hate trying to describe a band. They are just good.
After a few listenings, I can say “Grrrr” is the best Bishop Allen album yet. It has more killer, less filler. Now its easy to say this regarding the band, because these guys have released a staggering 12 EPs in recent years. I say their record output production rivals Ryan Adams. When you release a lot of songs, then quality control might be an issue. This is not the case with “Grrr..”. Each track has some nice pop moments – whether it be singalong choruses, bouncy guitar riffs or clever lyrics – this album is a good template for new bands who are looking to get on the next great indie chick flick soundtrack. I can already see Zach Braff sitting at home jacking off to this album as he writes his next indie movie about a depressed drug addict who hooks up with some chick half his age who is really quirky (my guess: Blake Lively). Standout tracks include “The Lion and the Teacup”, “Don’t Hide Away” and “Tiger, Tiger”. Bishop Allen’s songs have a familiar quality to them – it seems as if you’ve heard the song before, and there’s a comforting feeling about it.
Bonus points for naming a song after a Chinese city – “Shanghaied”. Between this, Lily Allen having a song called ‘Chinese’, and my post on the BPA featuring half asian Emmy the Great, this has been a good week for us Asians. I don’t think the Bishop Allen song has anything to do with the city, which has one of the most impressive waterfronts you will see, if it is not heavily polluted. Here is a picture I took of Shanghai when I was there in 2002.
My lungs!
Bottom line: This is a good indie pop album. Put it on for a sunday afternoon as you relax in your favorite chair and eat frozen yogurt.
Related posts:
- SXSW Review: Bishop Allen, Radar Room, March 19 Austin – It was a hot, sweaty Texas afternoon...
- CD Review: Lily Allen – It’s Not Me, It’s You [2009, EMI] Toronto – While it might have seemed like eons...
- Review: Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist [2008, Peter Sollett] Toronto – After casually mentioning Bishop Allen’s involvement in...
- CD Review: Prairie Cat – It Began/Ended With Sparks [Fuzzy Logic, 2009] There is nothing I like more than getting a...
- CD Review: Owl City – Maybe I’m Dreaming [2009, Universal Republic] Toronto – Lets take a time machine. The year...
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Hey guess what! Bishop Allen was recently in the Street Date studios- check it out!
Bishop Allen
[...] band were doing a full assault on SXSW in promotion of their new album Grrr… (reviewed here) which was released on March 10. Thursdays afternoon affair was the first of a few shows planned to [...]