Goodbye Labrador - A Thousand Times Before

  by Dave Goodwin

published: 31 / 8 / 2012

---

The blend of three different locations both sides of the pond is fully evident here on Goodbye Labrador's second album. With their roots in Brooklyn, Barcelona and Prague it's hard not to ignore the difference in sound to most albums you come across this side of the millennium. Consisting of four Skype hardened musicians, Martin Pipal (guitar, vocals), Phil Gold (guitar, percussion, vocals), Goncalo Hipolito Martins (bass, vocals) J.M.Silverman (drums, percussion) this smartly packaged set had me wallowing in half an hour of sofa dancing, wanting to get up and groove and not wanting to get up and groove so I could just sit and listen to the music. A bit weird really. I was sort of hovering between full on sofa smugness and freaking out in the front room. A real mix of sounds in here got me thinking early New Order? Guitar work reminiscent of Two Door Cinema? Harmonies likened to Magic Numbers?. One thing that is definitely evident is the strong 80's vibe running through it. The lyrics are a little hard to decipher in places, but it just adds to the joy of sitting and listening to an album that is totally listenable. The opening track 'Intrepid' had me hooked right from the off with it slow building ringing guitar. Pleasantly smiling at the indie ringing guitar start, I then found myself literally pooing myself when the rest of the band blasted in from nowhere. There are a couple of occasions just like it dotted in the rest of a thoroughly enjoyable piece of work. I found myself moody and melancholic in places and then drifting away on a boat into the sunset, shortly after which I burst through the white water with both arms in the air. Second track 'Sirens' has the lovely New Order feel while for me the third 'Falling Away' with its heavy rumbling bass is quite Happy Mondays-ish. Soaring guitar work in 'Embrace the Stranger' took me to the moody 'Silence in Me' which had me staring in some black and white B movie looking in dimly lit corners for Mary and 'something dark in me'? I told you it was weird. It all culminates in the rather sad 'Memoir' having found 'a letter containing your will'. Overall a great second helping of Stateside/Euro loveliness. The range of feelings and thoughts that filter across the mind whilst not trying to jiggle around to the melodies makes this a superb listen. It had me smiling at the harmonies and searching in the lyrical content. It had me sliding back into the sofa and gliding across the front room. It had me getting weird and gazing into the cloud that hung around about four foot off the living room floor. Its only around half an hour long but it has you in all corners of the ring. Not bad for a normal Tuesday night in!

Track Listing:-

1 Intrepid
2 Sirens
3 Falling Away
4 Embrace The Stranger
5 Silence Of Me
6 Memoir

Band Links:-

http://www.goodbyelabrador.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Goodbye-Labrador-128758694292/
https://twitter.com/goodbyelabrador
https://www.youtube.com/user/GoodbyeLabrador
http://www.last.fm/music/Goodbye,+Labrador

Post A Comment

---

Comment

Name

your name

Location

ie London, UK

Submit

Check box to submit

Adam Coxon
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson

Dixie Ernill
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart

Malcolm Carter
Marie Hazelwood
Mark Rowland
Nick Dent-Robinson
Nicky Crewe
Nige Nudds
Philamonjaro
Richard Lewis
Shirley Procter
Spencer Robertshaw
Steev Burgess
Steve Kinrade

Steve Miles
Tommy Gunnarsson
Zena Grieg