Romance is Boring by Los Campesinos!
LABEL: Arts & Crafts

From the very first notes of "In Medias Res", the opening track of Romance Is Boring, one can see a profound change in Los Campesinos! Whereas their first two albums opened with cheery glockenspiels interspersed between references to Hitler, circuitry, massive handclaps and musings on the futility of life, "In Medias Res" chooses to blossom gradually rather than explode. It is implied from the borderline slowcore of this number and the softer moments of several others that grace the album that we should rethink the band that gave us "You! Me! Dancing!"

“Just as you are about to toss their record into the Explosions In The Sky pile, ”˜There Are Listed Buildings’ rears its nostalgic head.”

At this point you may think you've made the transition from an Indie Pop band to a Post-Rock outfit (Gareth, whose lyrical skill always shines, humorously compares Post-Rock to bad sexual experiences on "Straight In At 101", by the way). Just as you are about to toss their record into the Explosions In The Sky pile, "There Are Listed Buildings" rears its nostalgic head. The first single off the album, the track reassures the obsessive fan that Los Campesinos! are not dead, they've just grown up a bit.

Along with this sudden breach of maturity comes the transcending of genres. "Plan A" is a proper punk track about football (soccer, for you Americans) and "The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future" is an almost ballad complete with somber violin. While the territory is unexpected, it's never uncomfortable and always awesome.

I happen to be an LC! fanatic, and as this is their last album with original member Aleks, it tends to be a more bittersweet listen for me. The album serves as both a farewell for Aleks and a welcome for Kim, Gareth's sister. I intend to see the band live twice on the upcoming tour, so this album is a great sample of what to expect. Judging by the stellar album, they will be two damn good shows.


REVIEWED BY RAYMOND CHALMÉ
RAYMOND'S FAVORITE TRACKS: “Straight In At 101” • “This Is A Flag. There Is No Wind” • “Plan A”
Read more from Raymond on his blog, Warm Tape.


Read the Groovemine AudioFile on Los Campesinos!

Preview & purchase album from eMusic (subscribe and get 25 FREE downloads)

Los Campesinos "Romance Is Boring" from Alanedit on Vimeo.