Posted on: December 25, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

I know I have said this before, but can Spencer sound more like David Bowie? I mean, seriously, it is a good thing but when I look up I am expecting a creature with red hair and what I’ll probably see at a Sunset Rubdown concert is some hyper-emotive person in a sweater and dark pants. Everything on “Shut Up I Am Dreaming” is ultimately radio-friendly while still challenging that same norm; this means that Spencer does not skimp on the pomp or orchestral arrangements that much eir previous works so compelling.

This means that the Bowie style of song that is so dominant during “Stadiums and Shrines II” changes almost completely (except for the style of vocals) during the “Amelie”-sounding “They Took A Vote and Said No”. Throw in a horn that sounds like a blend of kazoo and children’s choir and an individual will not know what they are to expect from Sunset Rubdown. The one thing that individuals will be sure of is that Sunset Rubdown does whatever style of music that they focus on for the track perfect, and in a way that links it to the other tracks on the disc, no matter how far it is from the average “Shut Up I Am Dreaming” track. Something that does seem to be a common thread that runs through a number of the tracks on “Shut Up I Am Dreaming” is a very “childish” sound (something that is accomplished on tracks like “Us Ones In Between” with a xylophone) that plays off the melodramatic vocals of Spencer.

While most of the songs on “Shut Up I Am Dreaming” seem to come out of a seventies tradition, there is no denying that Sunset Rubdown is a band from 2006. The maturity in which the band plays their music on their disc shows that; individuals are comfortable with the technology that they use. Something that would have sounded half-baked or ill-fitting in the synthesizer line during “I’m Sorry I Sang On Your Hands” sounds natural and a perfect fit for the music it works with. Even though it does not attempt to be, “Shut Up I Am Dreaming” works admirably in rock opera role; the diversity of sounds and styles during the tracks allow for the band to come up with a cast of characters and a backing story. All that is needed is a stage and a few more individuals, and this baby can make it to Broadway!

Top Tracks: They Took A Vote and Said No, Snakes Got A Leg III

Rating: 7.3/10

[JMcQ]

Sunset Rubdown – Shut Up I Am Dreaming
Sunset Rubdown – Shut Up I Am Dreaming / 2006 Absolutely Kosher / 10 Tracks / [email protected] / http://www.absolutelykosher.com / Reviewed 29 April 2006

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