By Ryan Getz
The duo that is Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian have been making waves for about a year now, and if this reviewer is correct their major label debut In a Tidal Wave of Mystery ought to be THE soundtrack of clubs and summer festival season, 2013 edition. With the massive success of “Safe and Sound,” I waited semi-anxiously for this album. Why semi-nervously? Because often when bands release a dance tune with a repetitive and simple hook that becomes their only hit. Now, don’t get me wrong – “Safe and Sound” would be one heckuva candidate for a one hit wonder – but it simply wouldn’t be right. In a Tidal Wave of Mystery is that good and more.
Capital Cities’ sound is a tad difficult to pigeonhole, but alt-dance is a pretty good term to use. The duo have found their niche, and apply their formula liberally to every song on the record. Well, except for maybe the one song that is a tad more mellow (“Lazy Lies”). But, the synths and the horns are applied in heavy doses all over the place. Some songs could even be considered neo-disco (a term I just made up – perhaps neo-funk would be better?). “Kangaroo Court” could fit a playlist along “Kung Fu Fighting” and “Get Down Tonight” I think.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47dtFZ8CFo8&h=297&w=450]Yep, I think “neo-funk” would be a better term than “neo-disco” to describe this band. Check out that groovy bass line in “Center Stage.” Oh, but what about the dreaded filler tracks people dread when buying albums? The phenomenon that has brought about the age of the single? Well, let me tell you something. There. Are. None. Your head will be nodding all the way to “Love Away.”
Some notable cameos occur on this record. “Farrah Fawcett Hair” features none other than Andre 3000 (the weirder half of OutKast responsible for “Hey Ya!”). Unfortunately this track is somewhat of a misstep with its odd spoken word verses. What is being spoken is quirky – to no one’s surprise. Soseh makes an appearance on “Chasing You,” a lesser known but more effective guest placement.
This review doesn’t even need a drawn out conclusion because I’m just going to tell you to buy this. Don’t pirate. Buy.
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