Parlour - Simulacrenfield
Rating
RIYL
MaseratiMogwai
Crain
Release Date
09/28/2010
Label
Temporary ResidenceTracklist
1. Destruction Paper2. Camus
3. Jalepenooptics
4. Wedder
5. Simulacrenfield
6. Carrier
7. Sea of Bubbly Goo
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After the disbandment of his band Crain in the mid-90’s, Tim Furnish created Parlour as nothing more than an experimental solo project. With three full-lengths and one EP under their belts, Parlour have grown into the woodwind-wielding oddballs they are today thanks to the septet’s original creative pursuits. On their latest record, Simulacrenfield, the band continue their tradition of quirky song titles and instrumental experiments while straying a bit from the mellow, meditative qualities of their first two albums, Octopus Off-Broadway and Googler. While there is a lot to admire as far as ambition goes, these seven songs feel less like a cohesive album and more like a collection of modest jam sessions.
“Destruction Paper” starts things off with a bang, showing Parlour at their most commanding. The saxophones and what sound like glockenspiels weave in and out of the guitars over a consistent one-two beat, and the clarinet pops up to prove that these guys haven’t lost their sense of humor. If the whole record had followed this track as a stylistic example, Simulacrenfield would offer a more resonating effect with the listener instead of a hefty amount of indifference. Songs like “Camus,” “Wedder” and “Carrier” all go down smoothly enough on the first listen, but by the time the ten and a half minute closer “Sea of Bubbly Goo” wraps everything up, nothing seems to stick out other than the inventive use of nontraditional instruments. With that said, however, the interesting combination of woodwinds, electronics and traditional rock instruments warrants at least a listen or two. “Jalapenooptics” stands out amongst the jams, featuring tight sax and guitar harmonies and a surprisingly bold climax, and “Simulacrenfield” sounds like a western in space. Still, it’s difficult to comment on the record as a whole, as the songs don’t mesh into a single vision. Maybe that’s what the band intended, but the rest of us are left with some good ideas and no place to go.
--Jeff VanVickle
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