Customer Reviews

Life Like

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The last Rosebuds release, "Night Of The Furies," seemed like such a departure, and "Life Like" seems an even further departure from "Furies." It would be tempting to label "Life Like" a "return to form" or "back to basics" record, and indeed the most obvious change from their last album is that virtually all the electronic drums, beats and atmospheres have been trimmed away.

In purely sonic terms, it listens like their tweener EP ("Unwind") that followed up "The Rosebuds Makeout," three whole albums ago. But, that assessment would be a bit inaccurate. One of the things that made "Night Of The Furies" stand out, and get more attention from music press, indie radio, and even clothing retailers (I heard "Hold On To This Coat" while shopping for some pants at J. Crew) was not so much the New Order-esque sheen as the quantum leap of lyrical maturity and effortlessly on-point vocal delivery by both Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp -- certainly two of the best vocalists on the continually amazing Merge label. "Life Like" has those same qualities in its fabric, minus the dance-y arrangements.

"Furies" was an album that announced, on no certain terms, that the Rosebuds had arrived as an indie-pop force to be reckoned with. That confidence and strong songwriting carries through to the more organic guitars, drums, and keys of "Life Like," which bears an unenviable burden: that it will be inevitably compared to their past dalliance with electronica. The apparent stylistic reversal, however, manages the neat trick of making "Life Like" seem just as fresh and surprising as the last album was. It's a mature follow-up with none of the dryness or stiffness that phrases like "mature follow-up" usually conjure.

The giddy, goodtime rock of their debut CD has been long gone for some time. "Birds Make Good Neighbors" was a moodier, more developed sophomore album (which comes the closest to this newest, fourth offering, perhaps -- spiritually? Production-wise? Lyrically? It's an elusive comparison.) "Life Like" is distinguished by the same Southern Gothic, sepia-toned magical realism as "Furies," resulting in a beautifully rendered take on the ups and downs of life filtered through the imagery of dead foxes, deserted marinas, gateways to the underworld, and a diary that survives a scientist-created black hole. Yet, although connected with lyrical tropes and stitched with recurring musical threads, it's not the quasi-concept album its predecessor was. Whether in full pop mode or in more subdued moments, "Life Like" welcomes repeated listening.

From the opening, krauty pulse of the title track to the throwback rave-up of "Bow To The Middle," this newest offering from one of indie-rock's better kept secrets is a satisfying and consistent listen, whole cloth with an impressive, expanding catalog of well-crafted songs. Their best yet? It's a tough call. But damn fine however you slice it.

Yeah, this album has its highs & lows. I find there to be a few weaker tracks towards the end, but the killer tracks such as Nice Fox, Cape Fear, Life Like make up for this. These melodies are similar to the ones on Night of the Furies as well as the chords & progressions. Ah well. I think this is a killer cd & you wouldn't be disappointed if this is your first introduction to the Rosebuds. They do have some other killer tracks on their myspace page.

Life Like is The Rosebuds' wonderful new album, but then I like all they do. Best cuts to try are Life Like and Bow to the Middle. Give em a try.