Goodbye Labrador - A Thousand Times Before

  by Dave Goodwin

published: 31 / 8 / 2012

Label: Goodbye, Labrador
Format: CD

intro

Eccentric, but compulsive indie rock on second album from 80's-influenced band Goodbye, Labrador, whose members come seperately from Brooklyn, Barcelona and Prague

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:-

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