Customer Reviews

Gang of Losers

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

 

 

Since I heard The Dears were working on a new album I have been impatiently waiting to see how they could follow up 2004's masterwork No Cities Left. With the new and equally impressive Gang of Losers, this wonderful band from Canada do not recreate No Cities Left. Which is a great thing. The intro to Gang of Losers would lead us to believe we are in for a supersonic sounding album. How quickly things change with the first actual song, coincidentally the first single from this masterwork. I was surprised to discover a sound that is much rawer than The Dears previous efforts. Almost a grunge sound on a few songs. There are definitely echoes of The Smiths scattered about in little vignettes. When listening to this album pay special attention to the wonderful tracks Bandwagoneers, Ballad of Humankindness and You and I are a Gang of Losers. Murray Lightburn puts his emotially charged voice on display in his chant "Heaven knows that I'm a fake" on Bandwagoneers. Heaven may know Mr. Lightburn but those of us not to divinely gifted can't see anything fake going on here.

After The Dears' 2004 masterpiece, "No Cities Left," many fans were left wondering if it could get any better. That album made The Dears into one of indie rock's biggest stars and one of Canada's most notable talents, so topping such a brilliant album would undoubtedly be a monumental task. Fortunately for the fans, The Dears have not let us down. "Gang of Losers" not only builds upon the fundamental sound of The Dears, but it also improves it.

The album begins with a somber, synth-driven, introduction (here known as "Synthro") which leads suddenly into "Ticket to Immortality," one of The Dears' finest songs to date. Murray Lightburn, the mastermind behind The Dears is in top form on this song, especially during the chorus, where he wails "I hang out with all the pariahs!" or at the coda where he declares "The world is really gonna love you!" And while these may not be the most poignant of lyrics, Lightburn presents them with such passion and honesty that it's hard not to enjoy every moment of the song.

The album then moves along rather nicely, with songs like "Hate Then Love" and "Bandwagoneers" standing out. The latter song begins rather simply, but then in typical Dears fashion, it explodes into an emotionally-charged coda where Lightburn exclaims "Heaven knows that I'm a fake! Heaven knows that we're all faking it!" Here, his enchanting voice breaks down and he shouts these lines with such animalistic sincerity that it's almost frightening, but undeniably moving. It is, by far, my favorite moment on the album.

"You and I are a Gang of Losers" is another fantastic song, and one of the most touching tracks on the album. However, the album reaches it's climax at "Ballad of Humankindness," where Lightburn laments "No one should have to live all of their life on their own." The song manages to capture Lightrburn's heart, or at least what he would have us to believe of it. More importantly, however, it is the best track on the album and, quite honestly, one of the year's best songs.

From there, the album closes nicely with "I Fell Deep" and "Find our Way to Freedom" (The U.S. Version has a few bonus tracks, but none are worthy of noting). By the time the album is finished, it's nearly impossible to not have affected in some way or another. The Dears are a band whose sound is so universally appealing that to call it anything but a masterpiece would be a travesty. "Gang of Losers" is beautiful, touching, powerful, and even fun at times. For an album that's almost entirely about not fitting in, that's quite an achievement.

Recommended for fans of The Dears, and anyone who's interested in hearing one of the best bands in indie rock today.

Key Tracks:
1. "Ticket to Immortality"
2. "There Goes My Outfit"
3. "Bandwagoneers"
4. "You and I are a Gang of Losers"
5. "Ballad of Humankindness"


4 out of 5 Stars

I was exposed to The Dears late in 2005, well over a year after their release of their biggest and best work to date, "No Cities Left". That album was close to an epic that would prove to be tough to follow... and it was. But "Gang of Losers" does the trick: it picks up the band's sound right where "No Cities Left" stopped and it continues to tell stories in a way that only Murray Lightburn can deliver, with the sound of his unique voice leading the songs into their climaxes and his ingenious guitar running straight through the heart of each of the melodies.

While the theme of ostracization prevails throughout most of the album, it does not drag and turn into a redundant and painful tale of complaint and negativity. Lightburn and his crew are able to turn things around through a catchy tune here and there, ending up with a positive outlook as the album comes to a close with the epic "Find Our Way To Freedom". The result is a musical work that retains a certain timeless feel to it (musically), while it still is quite timely in its messaging, turning it without a doubt into one of the best albums to have been released in 2006.

There isn't much to not like about a Dears album. Except that they all tend to sound the same. That isn't to say they're not all great, but there's no significant evolution -- at least none that I can hear -- from album to album. This isn't a bad thing but, considering the numerous changes in personel over the last ten years, it is rather odd.

Gang of Losers is no exception: some great songs, some okay songs. If you liked the other albums, you'll like this one -- probably just as much.

I loved it!

No Cities Left is the truth, so when I got "Gang Of Losers", i was still expecting it to be experimental and diverse. Well its not. Its basically a pop album, and at first i thought Murray's vocals were way too loud on every song, which they are. But, after listening to the cd a few times, then coming back to it a couple weeks later, it started to grow on me and now i think the album rules.

Leonard Part VI

It's no wonder the British are so keen on The Dears. The lead singer sounds alot like Damon Albarn (of Blur). That's who I thought this was the first time I heard them. After seeing them on Letterman last night, I knew I had to get this CD. They are a multiracial and multigender band that rocks nevertheless.

If you like earnest, thoughtful lyrics (sung by a singer who can actually sing) combined with memorable melodies, these are The Dears. Fans of Blur's Think Tank, Morissey, Coldplay, Procol Harum and Decemberists should enjoy this disc.

[DW]

Looking for epic, calming, alternative rock? Look no further than Canadian sextet The Dears whose lead vocalist Murray Lightburn, with his forlorn delivery, has been called the black Morrissey (check out the brilliant melancholic Bandwagoneers - my favorite!), not to mention their rather literate lyrics.

And that can only be a good thing.

Opening the album is the brief, atmospheric instrumental `Sinthro', which leads to the lead off single, the sunny, jangly `Ticket to immortality', which still manages to sound gloomy at the same time.

`'Fear made the world go round' is a tender ballad with a creepy feel and gloomy delivery. Beautiful!

Title track `Gang of losers' starts off church-like with its organs and solemnity, building into an acoustic ballad. The swinging `Whites only party' has a western frontier feel, howling guitars, lyrics about racism, and another Morrissey-like drawl.

The blues tinged ballad `I fell deep' features skittery percussion, organ, sparse guitar and a forlorn sound. Closing is the horn sprinkled epic `Find our way to freedom' with a raw, raspy delivery and brooding harmonies, melancholy never sounded this great!!

I heard a song on the radio by the Dears, and it sounded like Morrisey. So I bought this album. But this whole album is a bit of a snooze for me. Not very melodic or interesting. I guess it could appeal to some. But for me it was a very poor effort.