Wild Beasts - "Bed of Nails"
There's a lot of talk about how songs can be hypnotic -- for their theme, sounds, etc.; it's the kind of thing we sometimes refer to as an "undertow." "Bed of Nails" is built upon a foundation of layered, panned percussion that serves as an anchor for the song's background waves of ethereal synthesizer. Over this shimmering, engulfing mix of synth and percussion are two highly synchronized guitars that enrich and deepen the impact of the song. To match it all, singer Hayden Thorpe's voice is angelic without feeling unreachable; he sounds like even he, too, is only human -- and that's where the charm lies.
Every now and again, a band releases an album that doesn't just play at you, it draws you inside; these are records that are absolutely encompassing from their mood to their tones. I'm not talking about albums that are strictly atmospheric or characterized by a heavy dose of ambient soundscapes -- there are quite a few of those. No, these are works that hook with subtle elements of experimentalism, giving the music an attractive edge and distinguishable sound. More specifically, there are albums that fall under this classification that are seductive and brimming with a gentle beauty. And with each passing listen, such albums become increasingly enjoyable and rewarding. Wild Beasts latest album, Smother, is one of those albums.
Here's an album I'll be replaying and disappearing into for a while.
Smother is out now on Domino.
Wild Beasts Upcoming Tour Dates
UK
11.6.11 - Isle of Wight Festival SOLD OUT
25.6.11 - Glastonbury Festival SOLD OUT
05.8.11 - Herefordshire - The Big Chill Festival
06.8.11 - London - Victoria Park Field Day Festival
02.9.11 - Dorset - End of the Road Festival
10.11.11 - Birmingham - HMV Library
11.11.11 - Oxford - O2 Academy
12.11.11 - Leeds - Constellations
14.11.11 - Edinburgh - Liquid Rooms
15.11.11 - Aberdeen - Lemon Tree
16.11.11 - Manchester - Cathedral SOLD OUT
17.11.11 - Manchester - Cathedral
19.11.11 - Bristol - Anson Rooms
20.11.11 - Nottingham - Rescue Rooms
21.11.11 - Southampton - University
23.11.11 - London - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
25.11.11 - Cambridge - Junction
26.11.11 - Brighton - Concorde II
EUROPE
16.6.11 - Madrid - Dia de la Musica Festival
07.8.11 - France - Nuits Secretes
10.8.11 - Luxembourg - EXIT07
11.8.11 - Basel - Im Fluss Festival
12.8.11 - Germany - Haldern Pop Festival
13.8.11 - Germany - Dockville Festival
15.8.11 - Prague - Prague Lucerna Music Bar
16.8.11 - Vienna - Flex
17.8.11 - Portugal - Paredes de Coura Festival
18.8.11 - Switzerland - For Noise Festival
20.8.11 - Belgium - Pukkelpop Festival
USA
12.7.11 - Philadelphia - World Cafe Live
13.7.11 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge
14.7.11 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge
16.7.11 - Washington DC - 9:30 Club
16.9.11 - Texas - Austin City Limits
15.10.11 - Mexico City - Corona Capital Festival 27.7.11 - Sydney - Oxford Art Factory
AUSTRALIA
27.7.11 - Sydney - Oxford Art Factory
28.7.11 - Melbourne - Corner Hotel
29-31.7.11 - Woodford QL - Splendour In The Grass
Wild Beasts
Official Site
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