A band I've been listening to as of late that are definitely worth checking out. Their infectious trumpets sound like Beirut, their orchestral arrangements channel the Arcade Fire, and their handclaps and general attitude remind me of Belle and Sebastian. So what's not to like, right?Their new album "Reservoir" is one of my favorites of this year, but it is undoubtedly a grower... A few songs on the album such as "The Walls Are Coming Down" and "Harold T. Wilkins" are excellent on their own merit, but it seems like a little too much of Fanfarlo comes directly from these three bands I referenced earlier. "Ghosts" is one of my favorites on the album, but only because "Wake Up" by the Arcade Fire is also one of my favorite songs. The two songs do not sound alike from the get-go, but the transformation to upbeat-ness that occurs towards the end of each song is almost exactly the same. Same beat, same little nuances and progression. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I think Fanfarlo's lack of real originality keeps them from being truly terrific.
One more notable detail is that there really isn't a bad song on the album; each song has its own quirks and catchy melody lines to keep you coming back for more.
Despite the lack of originality, I think there is a ton of potential for them; They are clearly all skillful musicians, and this is clearly their debut album. You can discredit them for imitating the Arcade Fire and Beirut, or you can commend them for doing it so well. Either way, this album is definitely worth a listen. And I'm looking forward to seeing them Dec 14th at the Magic Stick. Should be a great show.
Here is a link to their Myspace - definitely check out "The Walls Are Coming Down"
And for your viewing pleasure, here is a video of them covering "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" by Neutral Milk Hotel. Enjoy!
