2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Intensely Personal Album, August 20, 2008
This review is from: Your Anchor (Audio CD)
Danny Seim of Menomena fame has crafted an intensely personal album of avant-garde pop. Much of his work feels like something very private that wasn't meant to be shared and that quality makes it very compelling to fans. This isn't his first outing as a solo artist, in fact he has been producing music under Lackthereof since before Menomena was a band. As a third of Menomena the similarities are there but the music and lyrics convey a seriousness that hasn't been apparent on past Menomena albums. Like some of Menomena's best tracks the songs on "Your Anchor" reveal themselves to be more than what they seem after multiple spins. On much of the album Danny grapples with aging and the riggers of touring and being away from loved ones on the road. The themes may be familiar but the execution culminates into some sonically beautiful moments on the disc. Danny's uses his vocal talents to the fullest as both a droning instrument and a vehicle to deliver raw emotion throughout the album. There are few artists that show such innovative vocal usage on an album. Danny's drumming is of course excellent and could be mistaken for a synthesizer on many of the tracks. This is likely due to the electronic yet organic feel of much of the album. Like Menomena Lackthereof won't be for everyone. For Menomena fans the album works great as a sort of sordid after hours chaser to the shimmering pop sensibilities of "Friend and Foe." I hope to hear more of his work in the future and encourage everyone to explore his back catalog as well.
Stand Outs:
Chest Pass
Choir Practice
Doomed Elephants
Last November
Last but no least on the album is a cover of the "The National's" "Fake Empire" whom the band appears to be a big fan of. It's a nice tribute to end the album but there are stronger tracks.
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