In late November we’ll be introduced to Swan Lake, the new band featuring Daniel Bejar (Destroyer, New Pornographers), Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown) and Carey Mercer (Frog Eyes). The album, Best Moans, is on the Jagjaguwar label, which is also home to Okkervil River and Black Mountain. It sounds like a recipe for success…or a witch’s brew.
Wolf Parade’s Apologies to the Queen Mary was one of the best albums of ’05. They had some kind of magic formula where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. Spencer Krug and gang had the unique ability to make mediocre songs transcendent with guitar-driven, pop indie-rock and quirky vocals.
Spencer almost pulls away from mediocrity on Swan Lake’s “All Fires,” but not quite. If that song were the precursor to the next Wolf Parade album, it would be reminiscent of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s stripped down, acoustic approach on Howl. It’s a decent song, but not a standout. “Freedom” was even less impressive leading me to believe that with Swan Lake, the sum of the parts may outweigh the whole on their upcoming album.
It will be interesting to see how this collaboration pans out. Neither of the first songs released to the public will find any space on my iPod.
The MP3’s are here. What do you think?
Listen to “All Fires” by Swan Lake
Listen to “The Freedom” by Swan Lake
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How did they come up with a name such as Swan Lake? Even though their music is reminiscent of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s Howl, their name is a far cry to their music.
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