Dragonslayer

Sunset Rubdown | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 23, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Jagjaguwar
• ASIN: B0026T4ROS
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,750 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Charming, dizzying pop that's as sinewy as it is cerebral" --Av Club

"Powerful and overwhelming" --Fader

"Spencer Krug's marquee band isn't Wolf Parade anymore" --Xlr8

Product Description

Sunset Rubdown was once the moniker under which Spencer Krug released lo-fi solo recordings. The project has long since evolved into a full band, and "Dragonslayer" is the third full-length. The musicianship is unassisted by studio magic, and the songs are left to justify for themselves their own screwy pop-rock existence. Double LP contains digital download coupon for free MP3s of the full album.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So darn good!, June 27, 2009

By 

KJ "KJ" (Charleston, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dragonslayer (Audio CD)

What an album! I loved Sunset Rubdown's first two albums and couldn't wait to see what they would do next. Almost all the songs here are more accessible than the songs on the first two albums (and easier to appreciate on the first listen), and Krug's crazed yelp has become much more akin to what people traditionally expect from a rock singer. And the production is much more hi-fi, the sound more full and spacious. A lot of times these changes (more accessible, more polished surface) are a misstep. But not here. This album is neither better nor worse than the first two. All three are great, and all three are quite different.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Their strongest album to date, February 1, 2010

By 

Lee L. (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dragonslayer (Audio CD)

Most casual observers dismiss Sunset Rubdown as a side project from Wolf Parade member Spencer Krug. Maybe it was because Wolf Parade is on a bigger label, and there was just more hype surrounding the band's debut, but with the fourth Sunset Rubdown album Dragonslayer, hopefully charges of 'side project' will be laid to rest.

It was hard to know what to expect in the weeks leading up to this release after the band's previous album, Random Spirit Lover. That album was great, but you really had to give it time and let the songs emerge through repeated listens. If you were patient, then it paid off as any serious Krug fan will attest to. Dragonslayer however pays of instantly. To be sure, it gets better each time you listen to it, but it's easily the band's most accessible album to date.

The biggest difference is that Dragonslayer is more of a live record. There's not a lot of overdubs or studio tricks and they don't have to 'figure out' how to pull these songs off at a show. Most of the band's previous work were creations of the studio (or Krug sitting in front of some keyboards and a lot of editing software), but Dragonslayer is more of a 'band' album.

Krug's vocals are in rare form and if you didn't like his voice before, nothing here will change that. I think if you were confused by their last record, this newer one will be a welcome addition to your album collection. It sounds like the type of songs Krug wrote for Shut Up I am Dreaming, but with the production and style of his contributions to Wolf Parade.

It was hands-down my favorite record of last year and makes me even more excited for what they'll come up with next.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Album of 2009..., January 5, 2010

By 

J. P. Enabe (Buffalo, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dragonslayer (Audio CD)

I am shocked at how this album has slipped so far under the radar. Last year I had a tough time choosing between my top 2-3 albums but this year one album stood up and took charge.

Dragonslayer is such a great album that I feel silly even talking about it. Just get it now and listen to it at least 5 times! I have played this record over 40 times this year and still need more!