The latest release from the finely tuned Bombed Out stable is that of Dugong, bringing their Deep Elm-esque sound out to the (relative) masses. And on the whole it's a very fine release, there are plenty of melodies and driving guitars without oming across like musch of the stuff being banded about as emo at the moment. The only thing is it sounds a little too much like Brandtson at times, particularly circa 'Fallen Star...' It's no great shakes though, because that is a great record after all...
'Hat Danko' is a good solid release that will certainly appeal to the Fracture crowd (obviously) as well as a few other folks who like good music. It's not life changing and it hasn't given me shivers down my spine like some releases this year, but there's a craftsmanship and passion within the tracks that give them that rough-diamond quality. But by the same token it's almost like at times the band are so good it's infuriating that just a few seconds later a swift time change ruins the tempo and feel.
'Honest Industry' is an absolute pearler to open things and really sets the high standards. Unfortunately there aren't enough moments quite as good as this which would carry the band into the same breath as some of their influences and peers. 'Tonight This Is Perfect' carries on the good work, as does 'Human Fade', but the time changes and stop-start synch which 'emo' bands seem to crave do become slightly annoying as your listening goes on. The mildly up-their-own-arse song titles are also a joy, anyone who can get away with 'The More Rivers You Cross The More You Know About Rivers' deserves several medals.
But there are downsides. 'And Now We Are Men' drags on a little, yet delights during the more melodic parts, while 'Snakes! Why Did It Have To Be Snakes?' is symptomatic of the record on the whole, it's bursting at the seams creatively, but is way too drawn out and frustrating. Every second of the 40 minutes on offer counts, but it's so weighty it doesn't bear repeat listens during the same sitting.
This could have been a fantastic record and at times their brilliance is really rammed home. However it isn't consistent enough to get past 3.5 stars. When you consider records recently released by the likes of Sunfactor, and last year by Otherwise, Dugong don't quite meet the standards they have set. Still, well worth picking up at the £8-odd price it's likely to be sold for.
www.dugongonline.com
Paul
