Handsome Furs, Face Control

It’s not my favorite album, but it’s good. That’s what I would say if I had to sum up in one sentence what I thought of Handsome Furs’ newest release, Face Control. This indie-rock band from Montreal, Canada is comprised of husband/wife duo Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade and Atlas Strategic) and his wife Alexei Perry. I personally am a huge fan of any husband and wife band, like Mates of State, Matt and Kim, etc. Something about it just appeals to me, so Handsome Furs are already ranked high in my book based on that factor alone.

Face Control is the band’s second Sub Pop-released album, following up 2007’s Plague Park. If the Arcade Fire decided to throw some heavy drum machine beats into their next album, it may slightly resemble Face Control, although it would probably be slightly catchier. Face Control opens with a few songs that, again, are good but that don’t really do too much to stand out in my mind. I’ve listened to the album several times, and those first few songs just don’t reach me.

Don’t give up too easily, though, because I promise the wait is worth it. From the first time I listened to the album, track five popped out at me. I even think I turned it up and replayed it before I went ahead and listened to the rest of the album. It’s called “All We Want, Baby, Is Everything,” and it’s probably my favorite on the album. The very beginning of the song makes you feel like you are in some club in downtown on a Saturday night. It’s great. Turn it up loud and prepare to listen to it over and over.

The next track, “I’m Confused,” is another great one that makes the album worth it. It’s catchy, clever, and will most likely get stuck in your head. The album closes like it began, with a few more songs that are good but that just don’t do it for me. I do think the album goes out better than it starts, though. “Radio Kaliningrad,” the closing track, is very catchy and will leave a good taste in your mouth. The only problem I foresee is whether you will even make it through to the very end of the album. I recommend that you do.

I love the combination of synth and drum machine the band uses. I think they’re a very talented band with a lot of potential. I would go see them live in a heartbeat, because I feel that their live performance would change how I feel about the album. I bet it would make some of the songs come to life more for me and cause me to listen to the album differently. Emotion and energy are definitely not lacking on this album. For me, Face Control is one of those albums that I’ll put in every once in a while, listen through, and then put away. I think that there are a few gems on this album, and that they certainly are worth all the other mediocre songs thrown in there.

One other complaint I may throw out there is that personally I feel like the songs all sound too similar. When I listen to the album all the way through, I get a little tired of it by the end and just want so desperately to throw in something different to listen to. Some people may enjoy that about Handsome Furs, but I kind of have song ADD, so that probably plays a factor.

I love the band’s style and the type of music they play; I’m hoping that their next release will do more for me and be one of those records whose songs get stuck in my head all day and that I can’t get enough of. I feel like Handsome Furs have the potential to make that album for me. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.