New York City is a very special place. From the freedom torch that lady liberty proudly holds high, to Yankee stadium where Babe Ruth made baseball history, countless amounts of people travel each year to America’s largest city in hopes of taking a bite out of the big apple. Though many fail to make a lasting impression when sinking their teeth in, NYC continues to crank out some of the countries finest musicians today, including The Walkmen.
After forming in 2000, the five-man ensemble went on to release four studio albums from 2002 until 2006, when they took a two-year hiatus. One can only speculate as to how they spent that time in the city that never sleeps; maybe they were taking a nap. Regardless, You & Me, The Walkmen’s fifth studio album was released on August 19th to critical acclaim amongst music connoisseurs far and wide.
The album immediately impressed me in that, unlike a good deal of records today, it starts out quiet and confident; the band is in no way racing to get to its destination, they’ve already arrived. In “Donde Esta La Playa,” lead singer Hamilton Leithauser launches the album by whimpering “It’s back to the battle today, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Syrupy bass and rich drums consistently creep up throughout the album and serve as the perfect balance to the rattling guitar riffs. Leithauser’s raspy voice has an uncanny similarity to that of Bob Dylan’s in “On The Water,” a song so subtly exquisite that it may move the listener to fantasize about blustery days complemented by a robust cup of Joe. Nevertheless, “In the New Year,” drops a bombshell that’s likely to wake up a sound asleep bear hibernating in a cave somewhere in British Columbia. With its high-pitched jangling guitar and majestically church-like organ, “In the New Year,” is the poised face of the album.While “Red Moon” is an evening waltz, “Canadian Girl” is a walk in the park on a sunny day, possibly drifting along on daydreams of a girl? Eh? “Four Provinces,” a half-hearted plea for reconciliation, is a captivating melody that may end up repeating itself on your stereo. Leithauser sardonically drones, “There’s one more silver lining, so come on then, be a good friend.”
“New Country,” is just as the title reads, a sunrise sing-a-long about clean slates and moving on whereas the album’s last track, “If Only It Were True,” closes the album out on a profoundly solemn note with Leithauser crying out, “So don’t come calling for me cause baby, my dream ain’t through, and when, when I’ve had enough, oh, I’ll die in dreams of you.” After a careful listen of the album, I realized that the title, You & Me, wasn’t so much about an endearing relationship as it was a botched up love story satirically written in a tone that only a fan of Beck’s Sea Change could appreciate.
What exactly the band was attempting to say, I’ll never know for certain. What I do know is that The Walkmen are a highly innovative band, with each of the five members