Customer Reviews

Dragonslayer [Vinyl]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Checked this album out as I am a fan of Wolf Parade and have enjoyed all of their stuff in the past. This was my introduction to Sunset Rubdown and I can say that it is everything I liked about Wolf Parade if not more. The edgy lyrics and heavy driving/wailing guitars are all there in addition to what I think are more creative and unique lyrics and songwriting. The last three tracks on this album were probably my favorite of the year - grow on you each time you listen; powerful throughout with phenomenal lyrics, great guitar/percussion layering, and an ebb and flow of intensity that keeps your interest.

The indie rock world is in need of more bands like this - rock and roll with a pleasant indie twist. Nightingale/December song is the epitome of what Indie Rock should be in my humble opinion.

Bottom line - if you like harder indie rock including Wolf Parade, Black Keys, or even Band of Horses, you are missing out without this in your collection.

What an amazing album. It gets better every time I listen to it. Rising and falling crescendos, hushed, then triumphant and devastating all at the same time. Wow... Spencer Krug is a blank-ing genius and wholeheartedly deserves whispers (sometimes shouts) about his being the best of today's songwriters. The first time I heard him was Apologies to the Queen Mary (another gem), and wasn't sure about Krug's warble. Thank heavens I kept listening. Buy this. Now. Enjoy. by Dronester ADDENDUM: So when's the next Sunset Rubdown record, Spencer? Please, we need more, as I am thoroughly addicted and this music makes everything right in the world.

I discovered Spencer Krug from Wolf Parade. The first song off of Apologies to Queen Mary, You Are a Runner... got me hooked on his singing, and songwriting talents. If you liked that song, or any of Wolf Parades great tunes you will love this album.

The "problem" with Wolf Parade is that Spencer Krug has to share songwriting duties with Dan Boeckner. While this isn't really a problem, it means the Krug doesn't get to spread his creativity and songwriting all over an album as he does on Sunset Rubdown records. Dragonslayer is my favorite Krug work because it combines the catchy pop of Apologies to the Queen Mary (Dig) with the sprawling experimentalism of At Mount Zoomer minus Boeckner. Great stuff! (Also check out Wolf Parade's new album EXPO 86, it's amazing, too)

I have followed Spencer Krug's career for quite some time and think that this album has actually eclipsed his work with Wolf Parade. The album is listen through with 4 songs that I really see as highlights: Silver Moons, Idiot Heart, Apollo and the Buffalo and Anna Anna Anna Oh!,and You Go On Ahead. The album has a great flow and is something I often put on while reading or catching up on emails. It has a different sound then Random Spirit Lovers which I really like and the back-up vocals of Camilla Wynne Ingr sound great when played off the frayed voice of Spencer Krug. If you are a fan of bands like Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, and the National this band is well worth your time. The packaging of the vinyl edition is also great for collectors and as an added bonus it comes with a free code to get all of the album's songs in MP3. Great value.

The songs on this album are a bit more traditional rock songs than many on their previous records. I think this is the first album where they've got a bass player, for example. To me this album still feels like a Sunset Rubdown record, but I was able to like most of the songs immediately. (In contrast, previous records usually have required several listens before I "got" them.) I think that's great and I hope it gets more people into the band.

Not my favorite Sunset Rubdown album, but still very good.

Spencer Krug (he of Wolf Parade) formed Sunset Rubdown in 2004 as a side project, and immediately created indie-buzz with the strangely appealing but most certainly 'left-of-center' approach to the band's music (think sophisticated art rock). This is the band's 3rd full-fledged album.

"Dragonslayer" (8 tracks; 49 min.) opens up with the beautiful and sweeping "Silver Moons", a fantastic opener. "Idiot Heart" is a more ambitious track, but it grabs you as well. After those first two songs, though, the album definitely takes a turn for the more dramatic and complex stuff. The 7 min. "Black Swan" goes all over the place, from soft to loud back to soft (and I don't mean in the emo-type of way, but more like having several songs into one). "You Go on Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II) is another highlight, although the opening riff reminded me immediately of David Bowie's "Modern Love" (in fact, there seems to be a very strong influence of Bowie in a lot of these songs). "Nightingale/December Song" has a great drum/percussion undercurrent. It all leads up to the monster closing track, the 10+ min. "Dragon's Lair", which brings it all home, and is the perfect summary of the album: ambitious, challenging, but very engaging.

In all this is quite the album. I haven't had a chance yet to see these guys in concert, and I can only hope that they'll go on the road again in support of this album. Finally, if you wonder where you can hear these guys, check out WOXY (BAM! The Future of Rock and Roll), the internet-only station that brings the best indie-music in the country, bar none. Meanwhile, if you like art rock, pick up "Dragonslayer", you won't be disappointed.