Imperial Teen - Feel The Sound Review
Posted by C.A. Bell on 02.06.2012
Imperial Sound is back with their fifth studio album, but how does it stack up? 411's C.A. Bell checks in with his full review!
Release Date:Jan. 31, 2012 Running Time:40:12 Label:Merge Genre:Indie Pop Drug of Choice: Mushrooms, Champagne, Life Key Tracks:
"Last To Know"
"Out From Inside"
"The Hibernates"
In the interest of full disclosure I should begin by saying that my love for Imperial Teen might make me a partial reviewer for their new record Feel The Sound. I've made railing against the aloof bedroom singer-songwriter a pastime on this site and Imperial Teen is the exact opposite. Reminiscent of the best records from groups like Queen, this is a bad above all else. Every band member is present and involved on every song and it comes through on the music. You can actually hear how much these four people love and respect each other. I appreciate musicians giving their work that level of thought. Not only does it make for better songs, it shows they care about the music (and, as a result, the listener). I'll take a record from a group like Imperial Teen fifty times before wanting to hear another throwaway iPad project from some guy that everyone else seems dead set on labeling a genius. Perhaps it is the bandmembers' various backgrounds in metal and hardcore punk, but the music of Imperial Teen never comes off as taking itself too seriously. I should also note that the band shares writing credits on every song, something that is all too rare in the modern music scene. These are professional musicians treating their work as fun first, and art second. So, for the same reason that I love Belle & Sebastien or Stereolab, I love Imperial Teen.
On their fifth outing in fifteen years, Feel The Sound is an exercise in professional popcraft, the songs written with a marksman's precision. Every hook is tight and every lyric expertly delivered. There won't be anything here that surprises Imperial Teen fans, but everything here should make them happy. The album's lead single and lead-off track, "Runaway", is perfectly in line with the kind of neo-bubblegum that we've come to expect thanks to classic records like 2007's The Hair the TV the Baby & the Band. This is fun party fare, but the really good stuff comes from the group's darker moments. "Last to Know" features an undeniably groovy keyboard bounce under an almost Pink Floyd-esque vocal delivery from the group. "Over His Head" is reminiscent of the best parts from The Cardigans' Gran Turismo. "The Hibernates" is provides the furthest out moment on the record and my favorite. This song seems to be about the inevitable environmental Armageddon humanity is bringing on itself. What's not to love about having that be in a pop song? "Out From Inside" provides another highlight with all the makings of a disco roller rink anthem.
Since Imperial Teen released their first records in the late-nineties, the Indie Pop field has filled up quite a bit. With Feel The Sound, the band proves why they are still head and shoulders above the field. Their songwriting is stronger than it has ever been and I am utterly impressed how patient they are on this record. The going trend with pop has been to put as much energy as humanly possible into every song. Here Imperial Teen prove they are willing to understate the song to enhance the focus of subtleties. That takes confidence and skill, both of which are provided in spades on Feel The Sound. If it takes Imperial Teen another five years to release a record this good, I'm willing to wait.
The 411: Feel The Sound is not a record for fans of the aloof and droopy. This is plenty of fun and well worth the five year wait. Imperial Teen's game hasn't gotten old in fifteen years and for good reason, they wait until they actually have something to say. I'll stand behind a record like this any day of the week.
