Destroyer – Trouble in Dreams
If you already like Destroyer, then this probably won’t change your mind. If, like me, you’re a little bit ambivalent, then I think you can safely let this pass you by without the fear of missing out on anything momentous.
Without shouting and preening, Dan Bejar has quite a portentious delivery. Not in a grandiose and annoying way, more in the sense that he uses pauses with dramatic effect and sings in quite a theatrical manner, albeit in a low-key sort of fashion. Unfortunately the actual music, which tends to lurch in time to his vocals, doesn’t bring much to this record.
Since the gorgeous European Oils I’ve been trying to kid myself that I like Destroyer more than I do, but ultimately I just don’t think the tunes really seem to have a solid core to base themselves upon. They don’t seem to have bits where I would normally expect bits, for some reason, and I am not sure how to explain that properly. I find myself waiting for the song to start, for the bit that makes it come together as a single entity, to kick in so that I can get a handle on it, but it never does.
That said, Destroyer was started as an opportunity for Dan Behar to experiment with music, away from the confines of his day job with the New Pornographers, so it’s understandable that it’s less obviously accessible. And I’d far rather he was experimenting than just trotting out verse-bridge-chorus pop songs.
I can see why people like Destroyer’s stuff, because many of the elements of music I love are there, but nevertheless I am not really a fan. Almost, but not quite.
Destroyer – Blue Flowers/Blue Flame
Destroyer – Introducing Angels
I found him boring at first, and then at some point – I think when I heard the 2006 record, maybe? – I suddenly adored him as Destroyer. His voice, his not-quite-hippie beard, the fact that “Sublimation Hour” sounds like Hunky Dory-era David Bowie. I dunno, maybe it’s because I think he’s dreamy. But this one took time for me. Maybe you need a different album to sit with?
Also…I’m never sure if you choose the songs you post based on what you like best or which best prove your point, but the songs you posted were absolutely lovely.
Yeah, I have a bad habit of choosing songs that I like best and therefore making an album I don’t like sound way better than I think it is.
I agree about the time thing as well. It really sound like the kind of stuff that has to seep in slowly.
You’ve summed up my feelings on Destroyer pretty well. I bought Rubies and really liked it, and also liked all his contributions to the NPs, but I don’t like him that much–especially when it feels like there’s a new Bejar project every six months or so (Swan Lake, Blue Roses).
I’ve heard three songs from the new album and they all sound, well, like Dan Bejar. I still like him but I do feel like I’ve had my fill. I think I’m going to take your advice and not chase after this album. There’s enough other stuff out there…