Posted on: September 18, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

After what can only be called an homage to Bright Eyes’ “Lifted”, The End of the World come forth with a rounded out bit of indie rock that has all the swirling guitars and earthy sounds that a Sunny Day Real Estate or a Sebadoh were known. The emotive vocals skew more towards early nineties Goo Goo Dolls than Omaha, but the act thrives on this style. The emotional intensity brought forth by these vocals would seem more at home in a Latterman or Lucero track, but the muted sound of the band is something new for listeners to chew on.

After “Jody”, The End of the World moves into “Someone Else’s Dollar”, bringing the band’s sound into something similar to a Queens of the Stone Age. However, the haunting atmosphere created by the band during this track, tied to the folk approach that ncomes into prominence, keeps listeners on the edge of their seats, wondering where else the band will go in each of “French Exit”’s next ten tracks. “I Don’t Wanna Lose” has a funky, gritty rock groove that brings listeners back to “Jody”, albeit with a slight shift towards a Britpop type of sound. The band’s efforts during the whole of “French Exit” meander across a number of musical genres and styles, bringing listeners through the entirety of The End of the World’s influences.

While there are no track that stand out above all others, “French Exit” as an album shines as a sterling example of what a band should do in the era of singles and iPod commercials. Later tracks, such as “Kate’s Dream”, are crafted with the same skill and virtuosity as were “Jody” or “I Don’t Wanna Lose”. The expansive guitars and dedicated, driven vocals during “Kate’s Dream” makes this into something special, while the haunting backing that comes forth at points during the track make this even better. The End of the World has only been around since 2005, but their effort on “French Exit” will make listeners believe that the act has been playing out together for over a decade. This October, make it a point to pick up “French Exit” and see where The End of the World is playing live. You will not regret it, if you like your indie rock thoughtful and album-oriented.

Top Tracks: Favorite Time of Year, Someone Else’s Dollar

Rating: 7.8/10

The End of the World – French Exit / 2008 Flameshovel / 11 Tracks / http://www.flameshovel.com /

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