Weekly Album Review: Who Killed Harry Houdini?
Written by gzabriel on Wednesday, 15 of October , 2008 at 6:15 pm
When I’m From Barcelona released their first album in 2006 they had a few things that caught my attention. Firstly, what were these crazy Swedes doing pretending like they, or one, were from Barcelona? Secondly, and more importantly, has this 20+ person collective recorded some of the happiest music on the planet? I never really found out the answer to the first one (it’s a tribute to a character on Fawlty Towers), but the second question was answered with a resounding “YES”. The music was light, giddy, poppy, beautiful and chant worthy. Like a giant statue of The Arcade Fire made of marshmellows and decorated with friendship bracelets I couldn’t help but sing along to every single song on that album. Seeing them live only supported their sound with a vibrant, almost childish energy that was so contagious it was impossible not to smile.
2 years later I’m From Barcelona have been mostly dormant in the way of new material, excepting some amazing work by Adventure Kid on their most characteristic song ”We’re From Barcelona”. However, after hearing Music Killed Me, I became excited at the prospect of new I’m From Barcelona. The pace was slower and more atmospheric but the fundamental tune was still there with the lyrics and composition equalling a glorious energy that few others can conjure.
With “Who Killed Harry Houdini?” I’m From Barcelona has somehow taken a new direction while still making it sound so logical and right. The album sounds bigger and fuller, like they’ve moved from a bedroom to an empty concert hall, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. Some of the intimacy and comradeship of the first album was clearly lost in that move and the music reflects that in terms of subject matter and atmosphere. If the first album was detailing a revelation in the power of friendship and the prophetic chants of a gaggle of infectiously poppy Swedes, “Who Killed Harry Houdini?” follows the narrative with a more sober and gathered outlook on life. In story form: I’m From Barcelona creates an album both the epitome and the epiphany of shouting-with-your-friends-having-the-best-most-meaningful-memories-of-your-life, then creates this album: all of your friends crashing on couches and beds as the leader, Emmanuel Lundgren, reflects on the deeper implications of it all and comes up with new, more somber and wiser, philosophies about life.
The album opens with Andy, a plead to a friend departing for show business, setting the tone of the album as one of longing and of reflection. Paper Planes seems to hint at happiness but still leaves me with a feeling of some intangible loss. Headphones carries this motif with a lonely musing on listening to music on headphones and thinking. Music Killed Me certainly delivers in terms of energy, even if the energy is less frivolous and more levelheaded I can’t help but feel a tinge of sorrow. Gunhild gives serious substance to my slightly ungrounded idea of a mildly depressing soliloquy on friendship and happiness with a soulful song with even more soulful lyrics by French singer Soko. Mingus carries a more positive energy and is the most upbeat song so far. Ophelia brings the tempo back down but the positivity lingers until Houdini, I’m From Barcelona’s most rocking effort to date. The chorus lacks in sing along value but the rocking isn’t unwelcome giving the album a more energetic vibe (the falsetto is a bit much). Little Ghost delivers one of the best melodies on the album, a slightly retreated piano complimented by some reversed drums and a slightly haunted backing vocal track. If I’m From Barcelona was aiming for a more mature aesthetic, this would be the most exemplary song of such an ambition. Rufus brings the album to an unsatisfactory 7 minute close that gives the impression of a disconnect with what made the first album so great. It’s still I’m From Barcelona, that’s for sure, and it makes sense in terms of direction, but I have this strong sense of loss in knowing that my most cherished, gleeful, and playful band has grown up. Maybe they feel the same way too.
I’m From Barcelona - Little Ghost
Category: Reviews
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