Architecture in Helsinki has always been a little on the manic side. The band's new album, Places Like This, arguably slaps this definitive label on all eight of the group's cute little hipster faces, with the exception of guitarist Jamie Mildren's, whose monstrous beard could possibly serve as an Amish-fashioned shield from label-slapping.
The experience of the opening track, "Red Turned White," is a zealous case in point. If you preemptively turn your speakers up before sonic engagement, prepare to be introduced to a rather overwhelming medley of bouncy sounds that combine distortion with wacky keyboard effects. Do not expect, however, to be met by lead singer Cameron Bird's usual whiney schoolboy vocals. Brace yourselves for something more along the lines of a barking bull dog. OK, maybe that's to harsh. But if you're familiar with the voice evolution of Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock then you know exactly what I'm talking about. Bird undergoes a similar transformation in Places.
Stylistically, Places does not always find precedent in previous Architecture albums. The tones are akin to those in their last album, In Case We Die, in which you still get the same hints of catchy high-tempo pop in the tracks "Debbie" and "Nothing's Wrong." After examining Architecture's discography with the austerity of a crazed indie music historian, however, I can confirm that there is nothing from which its new under-the-water-sea-creature-party-inspired sound could have possibly evolved. This is indeed a dark horse aspect of Places. It is obvious this is what Helsinki was going for with track listings like "Underwater" and... well, actually that's the only really obvious one, but the bubble-popping and beachy sounds do traverse the entire album. Skeptics, please refer to "Heart it Races" and take note of the use of steel drums or "Like it or Not," and try to convince me that it doesn't remind you of a 3-year-old wearing swimmies at a beach.
Unexpected interlude: A dog has apparently been invited to this beach party and barks in track "Lazy (Lazy)." While I am amused, I am simultaneously deeply disturbed and possibly a little bit offended. Guys, this is a very creative if not justplain out-there album that is probably a healthy sign that the band is still truly enjoying the music making process. Experimenting with different media (instrumentally and vocally) has always been a focal point for Architecture as many of the band members are talented musicians. Most of the band members were also once art school students, which could contribute to this exploratory (i.e. weird) approach.
In terms of mainstream approval, Architecture is still a bit too peculiar with Places to be, say, in the line up for the cover of Rolling Stone. Sure they're zany and interesting, but in the same way as the spastic pencil-chewing kid in your high school math class.
Regardless, for all you indie-music aficionados, or anyone who's just looking for a good time, Places Like This will certainly pump you up, and even leave you scratching your head. Kudos to the members of Architecture -- they're just doing their thing.
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