Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care (Domino)
Begone Dull Care (Domino)
On their third release, Hamilton’s Junior Boys continue to explore the fragile, electronic pop sound that has been at the heart of their two other critically acclaimed albums. Although Begone Dull Care (a reference to a short film by Norman McLaren) is still rooted in soft, murmuring synths, stripped-down percussion and barely there guitar, the duo’s time on the road has beefed up their sound, giving songs like Bits & Pieces, Hazel and Work the type of code-crunching pulse that can only come from playing in front of crowds eager to take off the headphones and hit the dance floor.
That’s not to say that singer/guitarist Jeremy Greenspan and programmer Matt Didemus aren’t turning out tender minimal gems that tug directly on your heartstrings: see What It’s For, Sneak a Picture and Parallel Lines. While Greenspan’s melancholy lyrics may reveal more wide-eyed optimism than previous outings, he still strikes a delicate balance between love, hope and regret. Expect to see Begone Dull Care on a lot of Best of 2009 lists this December. Mine included. Catch them live at the Pyramid tonight with the U.K.’s Max Tundra.
4 stars
Originally appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press.
