Tanlines - Mixed Emotions Album Review
New York duo Tanlines first full length album proves again the old adage that good things come to those who wait.
rating: 4
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Since they hit the scene in 2008 the New York duo Tanlines have been releasing a steady slew of indie-disco tunes with tastemaker labels across the world, including Young Turks, Kitsune and True Panther Sounds. Mixed Emotions, released through Matador Records on March 19th, is the bands first full length album, proving again the old adage that good things come to those who wait. It seems as if ever since everyone fell in love with Temper Traps gloriously sunny Sweet Disposition the floodgates have opened to this kind of synthy, catchy yet sophisticated pop music. A more recent example would be Gotyes Somebody I Used To Know. However, to say Tanlines are cashing in on an in-vogue genre would be to their disservice, as there is a good amount of variety on display here. The opening track Brothers launches with club-style synths, sweeping samples and a really killer beat you expect the bass to drop, the lights to swirl and your memory to gradually erode because your mate has passed you another shot of Jaeger. However, Eric Emms vocal comes in and the song becomes something altogether mellower, and is all the better for it. Tellingly, Emm and the other member of the band Jesse Cohen cite Bruce Springsteens Born In The USA as an influence on the record, and indeed there is something of The Boss here, the track climaxing with clean, simple guitar work and an organ sound that could have been plucked from Im On Fire or Dancing In The Dark. As well as Springsteen, the delirious Laughing sounds like it could have come off the last Vampire Weekend record, and indeed theres nothing to stop Tanlines from achieving that level of success. The arrangement is spare yet jaunty, keeping a simple base structure with congo drums and backbeat guitar, but constantly refreshing and introducing new melody themes to keep you hooked. Emms vocal is again a treat; he has a knack for deftly allowing his voice to flow across a rhythmically complex beat without ever letting the song sound confused or disjointed. The overwhelmingly up-beat and summery sound of the record is mostly at odds with the lyrical content however, with close listening revealing something a lot more melancholy. The chorus of Nonesuch sings the ominous sounding Alright, Im ready to know, and yet somehow youre tapping your feet and singing along. On the whole the lyrics keep it simple, aiming to convey an overarching tone rather than floor you with a great line. When the band try to flex their writing muscles it occasionally sounds a little laboured, as with All Of Mes Say it loud when you mean it with caps lock emotions. However, throughout most of the album the sound is so vivid and textured that the words tend to wash right over you. A first album this may be, but it is surely evidence of bigger and better things to come. Released: March 19th www.tanlinesinternet.comwww.truepanther.com/tanlines