I'm a bit late posting on this album, because I was too busy not having a blog when it was released. Denmark's Figurines have been compared to Built to Spill and Modest Mouse, so I'm not going to do that. Although the vocals do sound very similar. "Skeletons" does at time have it's Built to Spill moments, but it's the organic non-rockers like "Ghost Town" and "Back In The Day" that impress me the most on this album. This is a tough album to sample based on a few tracks. Figurines really are an indie sponge, soaking up influences from a great number of different bands, and he really does happen to sound just like Isaac Brock. OK, I'm not comparing them to Modest Mouse anymore.
The album opens unconventionally with "Race You" (video below is the actual take from the album), a beautiful piano ballad full of longing and anger: "Don't call if you need a friend", that certainly doesn't set the tone of the album, but I'm glad it's not tucked in the middle of the album, where songs like this tend to get lost. Putting it first almost says "Hey sizzlechest, listen to this song and pay attention."
The second track, "The Wonder" is probably how the album was slated to start, but somebody snuck "Race You" in at the last minute. It's a pretty standard pop- rock tune, not the most impressive track on the album
As "Skeleton" progresses, you start to realize this isn't just a "Sounds like Modest Mouse and can write a catchy song" band. Other early highlights are "Silver Ponds"and "Rivalry".
The ninth track"Ghost Town", is Figurines take on "Love the one your with", and has hints of an Uncle Tupelo banjo sing along.
MP3: Figurines - Ghost Town
If my favorite song on this album isn't "Race You", it's probably "Back In The Day", a hollow Western accompanied by an acoustic guitar and cymbal. Sometimes less is more, and this song highlights lead singer Christian Hjelm's talent writing melodys.
Definitely one of 2006's early best, and cool cover art to boot. Grab two more tracks from Figurines website here.
Figurines Website
Buy Skeleton
Video: Figurines - "Race You"
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