The two new albums I was most looking forward to hearing this Friday couldn't have been more contrasting. The Linda Linda's debut Growing Up, which I've already posted my impressions on today. Brash, teenage and pre-teenage punky energy.
And this, Grizzly Bear's Daniel Rossen's own debut You Belong Here, refined and highly adult. Artistic, poetic and almost classical in its approach. Grizzly Bear, one of my favourite bands of the millenium appear to be on hold, at least for the time being as Ed Droste, the band's founder has apparently left to become a therapist. An odd turn of events but Grizzly Bear were always the oddest and most particular of bands.
It's a relief, though hardly a surprise, to find that You Belong Here is such an excellent, realised album. In many respects it sounds like a new Grizzly Bear record. Rossen has got the Bear's drummer Chris Bear, (Yes really!) on board. It's full of the signature, almost aquatic flourishes of the band's best music. Wonderfully and meticulously produced it's full of light, scope and space.
Perhaps Brian Wilson is the natural comparison. I always heard reminders of Wilson's best music when listening to Grizzly Bear. There's an aching reach and depth of feeling on the record. It's unusual to hear such mastery of form in a Rock record these days.
In fact it doesn't seem entirely right to label this Rock music really. It's too nuanced. Too subtle. In any case, it's a special, beautiful record that demands to be heard. Nothing like The Linda Lindas at all. In fact if anything a polar opposite. But neither record has disappointed me at all and I'll be istening to both over the coming months whenever the mood for either suits me.
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