Customer Reviews

PLACES LIKE THIS [Vinyl]

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

 

 

Warning: Architecture in Helsinki are no longer twee. Whether this upsets you will depend on whether you like twee pop or not.

Admittedly, there are some twee moments in "Places Like This," and the whole album is colourful, sunny and catchy. But the Aussie band is rocking a more funky, rock'n'roll sound in their third album -- while it's not as winning or cohesive as their previous work, it is still entertainingly crazy and colourful electro-island-funk-rock.

It opens with what sounds like firecrackers exploding (or a keyboard dying a violent death), and segues quickly into a funky-electronic rocker ("So imagine the change/we spoke, it filled the air/so with the north-reflected southern light..."). But things really get going in the colourful calypso-pop of "Heart It Races," with its nonsensical lyrics about knotted laces and winter tans.

The songs that follow are a bit less funky -- electro/horn/dancepop, rollicking guitar melodies, strange ambient raps, and a bubbling song called "Underwater." Things get a little unhinged by the plodding, thumping "Lazy (Lazy)," but the band pulls things back together with sunny island pop of "Nothing's Wrong" and colourful rock of "The Same Old Innocence."

I can only assume that the new more electro-rocky sound is what prompted two members of the band to depart last year. While the first two albums Architecture in Helsinki made were just fun, frolicksome sunny pop, "Places Like This" explores a whole different kind of music than before -- sunny indie-rockers are woven in as well. It has some slack moments, but the overall confection is more fun than not.

It relies pretty heavily on some solid drums, colourful analog beats and glockenspiel, which can ring out in retro splendour, ripples, bubbles, dancey beats, or even blossom into a haze of psychedelic charm. There are also undercurrents of graceful guitar, and choruses of all sorts of brass just under the surface -- not to mention those great calypso drums in the second song.

I don't entirely understand what these guys are singing -- just as well, since most of what they sing is kinda nonsensical ("It's wicked where you tread/Shot an arrow in your head/Since the apple wasn't there"). But the vocals never get boring -- falsetto wails, deep croons, melodramatic pronouncements, and indie-girl/boy duets.

"Places Like This" has some bruised spots, where new explorations didn't really pay off. But the overall album is a fun, rollicking vacation in the sun -- very charming, and very different.

I saw this band perform on IFC after the Henry Rollins Show a few weeks ago and I really liked their unique sound. Honestly, I bought this album because it was the cheapest of the bunch and I had only heard 2 songs so I didn't know what to expect. I was actually pretty impressed. The band is like the B-52's meet They Might Be Giants, it's good fun music. I recommend this band to anyone who likes light-hearted indie rock

"Places Like This" is an album that requires some work, particularly if you are new to the band and haven't had the first two albums to get accustomed to the slightly strained and more than a little strange.
"Architecture In Helsinki" are a six piece band from Melbourne -- whose members are now scattered around the globe -- who seem to randomly play whatever instruments come to hand at the time, which means if nothing else, they are a very talented bunch of musicians who really do know how to play and make music.
At times you would be forgiven when listening to their third album, for thinking that they had kind of thrown things together in a ramshackle way, almost floundering through the songs trying to find a certain sound or something to underpin the songs.
This album is like a frantic, frenetic musical fandango.
At barely 30 minutes long some could argue why bother going to the effort of designing such a lovely album cover, but still, things kick off with "Red Turned White" and the sound is noticeably snappier, with an increasing rock sound exposed in some places whilst at other times things sound decidedly more urban.
They make music and trade ideas by instant messaging, which may go some way to explaining the cornucopia of sounds and instruments that permeates this can't-sit-still album.
Just when you think you've pinned it down a trombone solo or a steel drum crescendo crashes in to seriously alter your expectations.
All of which makes for insanely invigorating party music that will eat up lengthy car journeys, but repeated listenings reveal a certain slightly clinical lack of soul.
"Nothing's Wrong" is the nearest they get to a straight up pop song, this is helped by lead female vocals on the track as a result the song is far more melodic and less angular in nature.
My favourite tracks are "Heart It Races" and "Like It Or Not"

Call me crazy, but I was never that big of a fan of Architecture in Helsinki. I'm a pretty big fan of indie pop and all, but the group's approach to the genre was always very freeform and schizophrenic. In other words, their albums could always go in any direction at any time. While that can often lead to pleasant surprises, Architecture in Helsinki just never really pulled it off, in my opinion. Add in the fact that their music lacked structure and oftentimes seemed improvised (even if it wasn't), and I just couldn't help but be disappointed. Still, any self-respecting indie pop fan can find a gem or two hidden amongst the confusion. For me, "Imaginary Ordinary" and "The Owls Go" stood out as really solid tracks. More importantly, they gave me enough of a reason to check out "Places Like This," and much to my surprise, I'm thoroughly impressed with what I've heard.

The group takes a huge step forward in their sound on "Places Like This," no doubt in adjustment to the loss of two members. The sound is clear, it's more rock and less pop. That's not such a bad thing, however, as Architecture in Helsinki's crazy approach to making music is actually more suited to rock music than twee any day! The result is something that feels fresh and unexplored. Of course, the band still has a very improvisational sound. Lyrics are carelessly flung at the microphone and out of your speakers, layers upon layers of scattered guitars and keyboards rarely bond into a cohesive sound, but it all feels raw and exciting!

"Red Turned White" starts the album off with exactly that! Cameron Bird doesn't hesitate at delivering the vocals, clearly saying "I just don't give a f***" without ever actually saying it. "Debbie" and "Hold Music" take this and run with it, the latter being very reminiscent of Fred Schneider and the B-52s. It's actually pretty stifling to hear Architecture in Helsinki playing stuff that is this harsh, this in-your-face, and if you don't like it right off the bat, you may not like it at all.

Still, there are hints of the group's sugary sweet past here and there. "Heart it Races" is absolutely brilliant pop music, and one of my favorite songs of 2007! It's one of the few times on the album that Cameron tones his vocals down to blend with Jamie's, and the end result is something that's entirely endearing. If you don't smile from hearing "I bought it in a can and stirred it with my finger singing 'Boom-da-da-da-da-da-da-boom-da-da-da-da'" I'm not sure what to think of you. "Underwater" brings things to a much-needed halt midway through the album, and as its title suggests, the song has a very aquatic sound to it that really is better heard than explained.

"Places Like This" is one of those albums that needed to happen, even if it meant disappointing a few fans. Architechture in Helsinki has always been a talented group of individuals, but their music had progressed little over the course of their first two releases. "Places Like This" shows not only a gigantic step forward with their sound, but a band willing to go out on a limb and take a chance with their music rather than simply retread old paths. It is sure to alienate some of their more dedicated fans, but to those patient enough to give it a scrutinizing listen, you'll find that this band is just as carefree and insane as they've always been. "Places Like This" is more focused than "Fingers Crossed" and "In Case We Die," and in the end it winds up being a much better, more fulfilling experience.

Recommended for fans of Architecture in Helsinki and anyone willing to give schizophrenic, improvisational-esque rock music a chance.

Key Tracks:
1. "Heart It Races"
2. "Hold Music"
3. "Feather in a Baseball Cap"
4. "Debbie"
5. "Nothing's Wrong"

7 out of 10 Stars

I got this CD and I'd say I like about half the songs on it, but I like them a lot. It's got a fun sound to it, like an electronic B-52s, and I like to listen to it while I'm doing other things. If I'm doing work and don't have the time to focus on music, I'll put this on, that way I can work to music and every now and then pop my head up and enjoy it, then get back to work.

Heart It Races and Hold Music are the strongest tracks on the album in my opinion. Definitely a step up from their first album, I'd say give it a listen sometime and see if you like it. I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't fit a lot of people's tastes, but it never hurts to give it a shot.

This cd was a huge letdown. AIH's prior two cds were both amazing. Its odd for an artist to drop in quality this drastically in the space of one cd... The single Heart it Races, was the only song I enjoyed. The majority of the tracks feature the male singer's voice and omit the beautiful harmonies from incorporating a female voice. This album sounds angrier and lacks the fun/easy-going feeling of their other cds. If you're a fan of Architecture in Helsinki, download Heart it Races and skip this album. I hope their next cd is better.

Reminds me of Scissor Sisters. "Debbie" is a fun song, but that's about all I could stand. I can see a lot of people enjoying this type of manic, desultory rock. Architecture in Helsinki is certainly inventive, but what they invent does not appeal to me. The vocals are screechy and out of tune, the arrangements are maddeningly often out of sync - I'm sure intentionally, and the electronic noise makes me feel like I'm in a bad nintendo game. As I said, there will be many who love this stuff. Good for them! You can have my copy.

More "serious" album. Not as much fun as the first album. Still some good ideas in here, and a few excellent songs.