REVIEW: Grrr By Bishop Allen

(Dead Ocean)

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Its chief audience will stem from those who have become acquainted with the whimsical indie-folk-pop sound that stems from hearing tracks from movies such as Nick And Norah, Garden State or Scrubs (or maybe even Zach Braff’s car stereo mixtapes)

Bishop Allen should be no stranger to those familiar with the movie Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, having performed in the film and contributing to the soundtrack. In some respects that sets the tone for this album - ‘Dimmer’ very much fitting into the new wave of bands inspired by what Death Cab for Cutie have been charting for a few years already. Its pleasantries unfurl throughout the album with twee-like aspirations, in tracks like ‘The Lion And The Teacup’, the erstwhile ‘Dirt On Your New Shoes’ and ‘The Ancient Commonsense Of Things’. The lyrics are equally as syrupy at times and bequeath a sense of indie-idealism, ‘Don’t Hide Away’ ushering the strongest of angsty sentiments. Its chief audience will stem from those who have become acquainted with the whimsical indie-folk-pop sound that stems from hearing tracks from movies such as Nick And Norah, Garden State or Scrubs (or maybe even Zach Braff’s car stereo mixtapes). Songs like ‘Rooftop Brawl’ and ‘Oklahoma’ mark a shift, instead harking on, surprise surprise, the blueprints current darlings Vampire Weekend extol. It’s another one of those albums from Dead Ocean that is good, but seems destined to emulate rather than innovate. It’s good, but it remains simply that. Just good.

Benjii Jackson