Dead Man’s Bones - Dead Man’s Bones

Artist: Dead Man’s Bones

Album: Dead Man’s Bones

RIYL:

DNP: None

Recommended: 3, 5, 8, 7, 9, 11 (explore!)

Genre: Hip-Hop

Review: (Anti) Actors Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields make up Dead Man’s Bones, and on their debut they create a truly interesting sound. The two took an approach to the music similar to the Dogma 95 film movement. They utilized as few takes as possible and played all the instruments themselves (despite having no training on some of them). In interviews the band said their intention was to find beauty in the imperfections of the music, but truthfully I never noticed. The raw, live feel of it certainly adds a mystique though. Most of the songs are quite dark in subject matter, heightened by the children’s choir that accompanies them. By the time Gorillaz used one on “Dirty Harry,” the concept seemed pretty played out. Here however, the kids are used to good effect. When they sing “I wish that we were magic, so we wouldn’t be so young and tragic,” it actually resonates in a powerful way. Other interesting flourishes on this album include experimental instrumentation (footsteps, howling, claps, odd ambience). Artists usually aren’t this bold or original. Dead Man’s Bones are. This album will fit in quite well during these cold winter months. Standout: 3, 5, 8, 7, 9, 11 (explore!) DNP: None Reviewed by Spence. Oct. 11, 2009.

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