Able Island is filled with sweetly crafted and ensconcing tunes — you'll want to wrap yourself in Language Art's finely textured melodies. With bubblegum-flavoured staccato pops and twists in her voice, lead singer and band founder Kristen Cudmore leads the listener through back alleys and dark rooms. Saxophone makes an appearance on opening track "Idea" and closing track "Now to Nowhere," setting the tone for introspection.
Despite the daydream air, it isn't a sombre effort by any means. Often, there is a feeling of buoyancy and release: "With Me" begins with a driving bass line and builds to include layers of shimmering guitar and keys bolstered by recordings of audiences singing, while "You Came Knocking" starts out reserved and controlled, but blossoms into all-out anthem celebrating finding someone who makes you feel at home. The push and pull between static tension and flowing rhythms gives Able Island a sound that's hard to put one's finger on.
This is reflected by the choice of Language Arts to record Able Island on a cross-Canada tour. Both the restless nature of travel and the peace it can bring are present in Language Arts' third full-length album.
(MapleMusic)Despite the daydream air, it isn't a sombre effort by any means. Often, there is a feeling of buoyancy and release: "With Me" begins with a driving bass line and builds to include layers of shimmering guitar and keys bolstered by recordings of audiences singing, while "You Came Knocking" starts out reserved and controlled, but blossoms into all-out anthem celebrating finding someone who makes you feel at home. The push and pull between static tension and flowing rhythms gives Able Island a sound that's hard to put one's finger on.
This is reflected by the choice of Language Arts to record Able Island on a cross-Canada tour. Both the restless nature of travel and the peace it can bring are present in Language Arts' third full-length album.