Buildings Breeding

Traditionally, music arrives from publicity firms complete with some twisted tale of how the band got together, how they "struggled to survive" and such. These albums also come recommending choice tracks to the reviewer in case we're in such a rush that we cannot get full grasp on the entire creation. Buildings Breeding came with a beautiful story, and these twelve tracks also had a few highlighted as "standouts". Thing of it is, this album wins big from beginning to end - no hype necessary.

As a quartet, Buildings Breeding share vocals between lead guitarist [et al] Chris Larsen and percussionist+ Melanie Glover - with Melanie possessing a lush, pillowy delivery quite in line with duo Azure Ray [see: "Emmawood"]. When Larsen takes the vocal lead, on a composition such as "Polish Barely Holds" [running at just 1:11], the warmth that this group presents never fades. In just this track alone, Buildings find space to inject a fuzzy guitar solo around lyrics that deserve hula-hoop hugs: "I'd kiss your fingernails where the polish barely holds, your crooked mouth your broken nose". If that's not love, send me to an early grave [see also: "Little Drummer Girl", "Stars Are Smitten"].

I cannot say enough great things about Buildings Breeding, but it truly is a debut album that came with little [to no] warning and has taken hold of my heart like nothing in recent memory. If we graded 'em on a scale, this one would be a solid A. {Those listeners who favor Damon & Naomi [see: "Lion On Summer St."], XO-era Elliott Smith and "Nightswimming"-esque R.E.M. - get on this.}

"I stay stoned and quiet / 'why is he always like this?' / the eager hunter clips the early bird" - "Youth Is All That's Left"

k :: ( 01.26.07 )