Have you ever wondered what you’d get if you were to crossbreed the gods of Brit-pop (London Suede, Happy Mondays, Stone Roses) with the crème of both the Matador and Tee Pee Records stoner rock crops (Dead Meadow, Annihilation Time)? Apparently Darker My Love did and, on the band’s appropriately entitled sophomore album, 2, they’ve ironed all of the creases out of their sound and produced what can only be called a definitive document.
The record opens with majesty and grandeur as, on “Northern Soul,” Darker My Love presents what listeners will find later is the archetypal song for the record: with bracing and constant guitars combined with an even and ceaseless beat, the band sets an ornate and lush stage for singer Tim Presley to gadabout across. Often, he does so very meekly—thus forcing listeners to pay close attention and follow along—and that has the added bonus of making the singer’s oh-so-pretty melodies begin to sound incredibly romantic and inviting; listeners find themselves joining him because you want to protect him while simultaneously taking in the chronic-exhaling drones that weave around his voice.
As the record progresses, guitarist Jared Everett, bassist Rob Barbato, keyboardist Will Canzoneri and drummer Andy Granelli begin to roll a sheet of background scenery to make it feel as if the songs are making the journey from place to place and venue to venue behind Presley and each score has unique attributes that imply location. After the broad and sweeping shores of “Northern Soul,” the band immediately steps off the boardwalk and swaggers up a busy street crowded with beautiful people on a “Blue Day,” stops for coffee at an urbane little shop called “White Composition” and soaks up some atmosphere (“Add One To The Other One”) before heading to a club to dance the night away in “Waves.” Were these locations on the band’s mind when they were making and sequencing 2? Probably not, but the dramatic give and take between the songs lends itself to such a storyline and it’s difficult to not let it run through your mind as the record progresses because it just seems to be such a vivid fit.
By the end of the record (and the end of the night), Darker My Love finds itself back on the beach and so takes a moment to enjoy a midnight swim in the tranquil pools of “Immediate Undertaking.” It’s a great closer for this record because it’s then possible to loop the record and spend a week in it. 2 has a very comforting and relaxing vibe and the band exudes a inviting air guaranteed to make your head bob involuntarily.
Artist:
www.darkermylovemusic.com
myspace.com/darkermylove
Album:
Darker My Love – 2 is out now. Buy it on Amazon.
