All the press and singles releases leading up to Kintsugi had me waiting anxiously for this album! Not only was it to be the last DCFC album written and recorded with guitarist/producer Chris Walla, but the band also promised it would be a return to the DCFC we know and love, after the sonic departure of Codes and Keys. I for one, don’t share the same feelings about Codes and Keys as many other, more vocal fans do. Although I can’t say C&K was my favorite work of theirs, I thought the arrangements and production were excellent, as was the focus of the entire album. However, being a fan of their older records like We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes, I was also not going to be disappointed if they went back to their old sound.
The release of their first single, “Black Sun,” made it clear to me that they weren’t backing off of their goal. The main guitar riff evokes the riff of “Title Track” and the drums sound like they could have been pulled off of a track from Transatlanticism. That isn’t to say they copped out and made something unoriginal… Surrounding the throwback guitar and drums are atmospheric synths, most prominently in the chorus, moving the song forward and marking a clear distinction from their previous work. Watching them play this song live, I also discovered that the bass-line is absolutely awesome, but it can barely be heard in the recording!
The album opens with “No Room In Frame,” a slow building song, which starts with some distorted synths, bouncing around, preparing the listener for the opening line, “I don’t know where to begin, there’s too many things that I can’t remember…” An apt opening for an album that seems primarily focused on that actress Ben was married to and all the events surrounding their split, but also touches on his general distaste for the spotlight and his life in L.A. One of the things I’ve always liked about DCFC is how they’re able to make moments within a song important. Some of my favorite examples include the guitar riff on “Transatlanticism” and the transition from mono to stereo on “Title Track.” Here, they have a few tricks up their sleeves as well. The drums suddenly change to an electric kit in the second verse, and the final chorus hits an unsuspecting listener with a wall of sound.
“Ghosts of Beverly Drive” is another strong track with some obvious throwback sounds like the driving distorted guitar chord, but also some new sounds like Ben’s background vocals and the weird synth/drum sound after the chorus (I have no idea what that is!). The lyrics are especially strong in this song, as they always paint a picture in my mind of one of those “perfect” L.A. suburbs, and I’m pretty sure I can feel the same detachment he’s conveying with the neighbors and the lifestyle.
I wish I could go into detail on what I love about each track, but I might be up all night (and the post would be way too long…). There really isn’t a track I dislike on this album. “Little Wanderer” and “Good Help (Is So Hard To Find)” might be my other top favorites. I want to share a story about “El Dorado” though. When driving back from a trip to Malibu, Mary and I drove through Culver City, which immediately triggered my memory about this song. The opening lines are
Seems you finally found, finally found El Dorado
over in Culver City, shining bright, name in lights
and I tried to be hyped for youIt’s kinda like a party that you never wanted to attend,
but when an invitation finally arrives you change your mind
and I tried to be hyped for you
Our hunch was that it was about Ms. Deschanel getting the audition for “New Girl,” and maybe Culver City was where the auditions or filming took place. After much research, we discovered that there are several film studios with sets in Culver City, but Fox wasn’t one of them. Most of the episodes were filmed in downtown L.A. or near Santa Monica, some right near Culver City, but we figured we’d find something obvious. Mary found that there was a party that the cast attended in Culver City, but that’s the closest we got. Commenters online seem to agree with our thinking, but we have no solid evidence. I guess we’ll just have to enjoy the mystery.
Overall I’m happy to have this addition to the DCFC catalog. With the new lineup, they really have a good live sound and can play the new songs to their full potential. One other thing I noticed is that Ben’s vocals sound better than ever! His voice seems much stronger and steadier. I think these are all really good signs for the band moving forward, and should erase doubts fans have for the band’s future after Walla’s departure. If you need more proof, just watch their NPR Tiny Desk Concert. I’ve already purchased tickets for their September 25th show at the SDSU Open Air Theater, and word is that Patrick might even make the trip to join me! If they’re coming through your town, this is a show you shouldn’t miss!
Eric