The Temper Trap - Conditions
Rating
RIYL
Sigur RosArcade Fire
Children Collide
Release Date
10/13/2009
Label
Glass Note RecordsTracklist
1. Love Lost2. Sweet Disposition
3. Fader
4. Rest
5. Down River
6. Soldier On
7. Fools
8. Resurrection
9. Science of Fear
10. Drum Song
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Australians just seem to know what they’re doing when making a record, with the exception of modern rockers, (whatever the hell that means) Jet. The Temper Trap does not stray far away from this theory, as they have released an impeccable debut album titled Conditions, which is already making some noise internationally. It is a grandiose atmospheric mixture of soul, pop, and their very own blend of indie rock. They have created their own formula for success that not many will be able to deny, especially for those who have seen the film (500) Days of Summer..
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, the quartet’s formula relies on catchy tunes while being able to give the songs a unique character. Most of this can be accredited to the incendiary vocals laid down by front man Dougie Mandagi, whose elevated, alluring voice enhances the songs as opposed to just fitting the music. They are clean and clear as he wails on songs such as the triumphant “Soldier On” or the orchestral Arcade Fire like “Down River” with its rhythmic, prominent drumbeat and an excited acoustic riff. Needless to say, the versatility of Mandagi’s voice will never go unnoticed.
Matching the abilities of Mandagi, the instrumental chemistry is focused on making an almost Sigur Ros like composition without wandering too far into the deep end. This meaning that they are able to create a certain vivid imagery along with music that will make the hair on your arms stand on end. Songs like “Resurrection” finds Jonathan Aherne providing a pulsing bass line that creates an immediate urgency as drummer Toby Dundas creates a ticking-time-bomb beat that ruptures into a fiery climax. Conditions also shows that the band has no difficulty in making an infectious pop tune while keeping some sort of creative credibility.
The song that will be most notable to listeners, mainly because of its appearance in the aforementioned independent film (500) Days of Summer, is the track "Sweet Disposition." Driven by Lorenzo Stillito’s delay laden guitar, the song flutters into a joyous chorus as Mandagi’s voice soars. As the chorus goes, “A moment / a love/ a dream / aloud / a kiss / a cry / our rights / our wrongs / a moment a love,” they prove their skill of writing a hook that loops through your head for weeks. “Fader” follows suit with its fittingly placed “Woo oo oo’s” in the chorus as Mandagi flexes his lyrical prowess vowing, “I’m in transit / floating stranded on this boat / and I pledge my allegiance / to a better night’s sleep at home.”
Whether he is recounting from a personal experience or has watched several videos of the event, Mandagi gives a perfect description of being in a car crash as the song is aptly titled “Science of Fear.” With lyrics like, “Brakes on, brakes on / the car is running empty / brakes on, brakes on / the car is runnin’ empty / downhill / head on / this crash is comin’ slowly / downhill / head on,” the apprehension of getting into a car is spread effectively. Interestingly enough, they have put a sample from Robert Kennedy announcing the death of Martin Luther King Jr., adding to the eerie tone already present in the song.
The one-two combo of “Resurrection” and “Science of Fear” is finished off with a crashing blow by the tribal “Drum Song” which relies heavily on percussion and a sliding bass as the guitar slowly trickles in the background. It is an epic closer that formally announces the introduction of this band to the world.
From whichever part of the globe you hail, open your arms and welcome in this impressive bunch of Aussies. Conditions is sure to spark some hype and will probably be kidnapped by the likes of Rolling Stone and proclaimed as the next big thing. So get on these guys before the rest of the world does; you’ll be kicking yourself if you don’t.
--Andrew Beam
Comments
Dallas, Texas
Good shit.
Waterloo, Ontario
i wish this was Conditions - the band
Top Ten of 2009 http://www.decoymusic.com/users/3747/top_tens/2009
Baltimore, MD
there's some really good stuff on this album, but to be quite honest, i can't handle much of that guy's singing style...Science of Fear is my favorite track though
Last.fm | RateYourMusic
VT
Singer sounds more like Gnarls Barkley than Sigur Ros or Arcade Fire. Also reminds me of The Panic, another great Aussie alternative band.
My Top Songs of '09
The Appleseed Cast//as the little things go
Caspian//sycamore
Sunwrae//Chinook Winds
Dredg//down to the seller
If These Trees Could Talk//the sun is in the north
From Monument to Masses//an ounce of prevention
Straylight Run//i'm through with the past
LpShinobi's Post-Rock and Shoegazing Recommendation, via YouTube
Lpshinobi's Post-Rock Band, New Song Posted
Somewhere in New York
Well I wasn't comparing the singing to either, more so the style of music.
"If someone gives you a kazoo and toots around the house to MTV, they're not gonna fuck you." - David Cross
Sunshine Coast, Australia
most memorable album of 2009 for me. Great review Andy
"If you want something done right, get a fucking Australian band to do it" - Chris Cheney