Ah, Denmark. A lovingly gray country well known for its stance on sex and drugs, not so well-known for its rock and roll. A look at the sleeve for Northern Portrait's debut The Fallen Aristocracy makes me think of a beautiful Smiths sleeve. "Which one?" Any of them. "I think that's what they're going for, Joseph." I quite agree. Once again, Matinee Recordings releases a corker, once again the band is lazily compared to the Smiths, and once again I yell "No! More like The Ocean Blue!" I will concede the lazy's point on "Waiting for a Chance," although I stand undaunted and unconvinced. I do like this band's way with an arrangement; they have, without fail, layered their songs with a lovely little jingle-jangle. I think I love the final song, aka the title track, the best. Saying I think one song is "best" would be like dating an identical quadruple and saying she was the prettiest of the lot. An auspicious and frustratingly brief debut--here's to more!
Listen To: "Crazy"Labels: matinee recordings, northern portrait, reviews n |
