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Staff IconPoulain - For Passengers (Cover Artwork)

Poulain

For Passengers (2003)
Fiddler Records

Reviewer Rating:


Contributed by: greg0rb
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Published on February 24th 2004


This EP is gorgeous. Singer/songwriter Isaac Lekach gives us a brief view of his world in For Passengers, a soothing indie rock ride. The guitarist is backed up by a band that lets him shine through, a band that includes Andy LeMaster (who also appears in Bright Eyes recordings). None of the parts are overpowering, they are simply flowing layers and textures that allow his melodies to sit on top. You will dig this if you like Bright Eyes, and even if Conor is a bit over-dramatic for you, don’t fret because Isaac has a mellow baritone voice and has a more laid-back attitude on life and love. I was quite surprised at how good this EP was and wished I had gotten it out of this stack sooner.

“All You Are” … “is beautiful” states the song, and the song itself is beautiful, with reverb-soaked guitars and an atmospheric vibraphone part that is showcased during a section of purely vocals (at least three parts) and vibes. This is my favorite track.

“Wide Awake” is a bit more up-tempo but not extreme; it is a mellow pop song that sounds a bit like The Cure, in part to the jangled guitar and the sustained keys in the background.“Completely Uninterrupted” and “For You to Decide” are also good tracks, with more of the acoustic guitar, dreamy background layers and beats that will make your head nod, but not thrash wildly.

I guess my only gripe would be that I either need more songs or perhaps more development within each song. The total time is only 10 minutes- the first two tracks are right around 3 minutes, while the third and fourth tracks barely reach the two minute mark. This would not be so strange for a punk EP, but a bit odd for this style of indie rock.

If you’re in the mood for a well-orchestrated, mellow indie sound, look no further- but hopefully they come out with a full length soon because this is too much of a tease.



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    Anonymous (February 27, 2004)

    but i LIKE saying this name. Poouuulain!
    It's like chickens, but more elegant

    Anonymous (February 27, 2004)

    "poulain" is the name of that style of long, pointy shoe that people used to wear in the middle ages, the kind that curls up at the toe and is SUPER GAY. Just like this record.

    Anonymous (February 26, 2004)

    hey luke... why are you so gay??

    Anonymous (February 26, 2004)

    hey luke

    carak (February 25, 2004)

    I think gorgeous is a great--one could almost say gorgeous--adjective for describing music.

    Anonymous (February 25, 2004)

    http://www.purevolume.com/poulain

    i am listening to this song right now and it is not bad at all. i will look for the rest of the ep later.

    noreply (February 25, 2004)

    i don't think gorgeous is a very well chosen adjective for music

    carak (February 25, 2004)

    I think gorgeous is a good word to describe an album--if it is gorgeous, that is. why wouldn't you want to listen to an album if someone said it was good--no, better than good--gorgeous? it seems like it would make you want to listen to it more, knowing that someone liktes it.

    noreply (February 25, 2004)

    you called the ep gorgeous...thank you for making sure that i NEVER listen to this band.

    Anonymous (February 24, 2004)

    What do you think those pink things on the cover at the top are? legs or fingers? it is hard to tell from the small picture on here....

    Anonymous (February 24, 2004)

    this is not mellow its boring

    Anonymous (February 24, 2004)

    this ep is very good

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