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‘Arm’sWay’ is the album of the summer
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The stringy, bombastic and well-orchestrated sound produced by Islands will draw wanted attention from the public. The Islands’ summer release is sure to rock the pop world.
It might be difficult to establish the band’s music with the audience more than just the purely masturbatory gratification of hearing, but with the intellectual validation of listening. Difficult is the operative word. It suggests an obstacle and yet leaves room for manipulation. Islands have manipulated the musical realm and created an album which, is simultaneously “pop-music” but not so simply “escapism music.” The album is intricate with progressive musical developments accompanied by attention grabbing lyrics. Overall, it’s like candy that has lots of nutritional value.
Islands have six members and formed in 2005. Their unique brand of music was introduced in their debut album, “Return to the Sea,” which received critical attention and established an international fan base. “Arm’s Way” is their sophomore album and is highly anticipated by all who are aware of the band’s potential to produce something lasting.
The leadoff track, “The Arm,” hits hard. The song boasts a guitar riff which oscillates between high and low and paints an aural picture resembling a contemporary “old western.” Joined with the old west style guitar is a violin. The smaller strings are playful in the background and prove to admonish any dullness with soft silky sounds and offerings of deeper melodies.
Following “The Arm” is the cryptic and confused song, “Pieces of You.” The song has a funky groove and is wonderfully electric in its fluidity.
Again the violin makes for a strong companion to the theme and the texture. The lyrics are quick and odd, “They found your bones in the homes of a thousand little gnomes / They’re taking pieces for decorations / They’d open up their mouths, seem like peaceful little mouths / Inside they found, a mouth full of feces.” It is not possible to merely translate that into something coherent, but that helps to make the listening all the more enjoyable.
The track which most fluently lives up to the pop genre is “Creeper.” A shamelessly catchy song, “Creeper” boasts a techno-rock beat that one could dance to if so inclined. In fact, it would be difficult not to dance at least a little while listening to the song. Beyond the two quick, attention-grabbing guitars is a haunting keyboard that continues to illustrate the techno-rock vibe. Nick sings with a soft, almost disbelieving tone while rolling out the lyrics, “Right from the start I was stabbed in the heart / Dead / No I wasn’t breathing / Dead / No I had been bleeding / Open my door / Thought I was alone / But someone was hiding / In a dark room in my home.”
The remaining songs on the album do not relent from the tenacious inventiveness of the first songs. “To a Bond” is a complete sidetrack from the album’s established norm. It is slow, soft as a cloud and melodic to the core. It has nearly an oriental sound which is strange, but captivating. “I Feel Evil Creeping in” is a contemplative song. There is a Pink Floyd moment, which harkens to “Brain Damage,” with a feeling of schizophrenia which alludes to confused and combative introspective thought.
“Arm’s Way” has a tremendous amount to offer to any fan of music. There are strong elements of rock and techno. There are deep intellectual lyrics and strong musical orchestrations. The overall intention of the album was to be a “Pop-music” album. Islands absolutely achieved their goal to create something both substantively progressive and pop. “Arm’s Way” will be released May 20.
BOB BEERS
Culture Writer
