It’s taken me a few listens, but Besnard Lakes‘ oddly titled 4th album, Until in Excess, Imperceptible UFO certainly has grown on me. Besnard Lakes are a Canadian indie/shoe gazing rock band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Formed in 2003 by the husband and wife team of Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas, the album has received great reviews at the recent SXSW festival and I can hear why. With elements of subtle psychedelia, the band who’s had two of there last three albums nominated for the much revered Polaris Music Prize are an act I’d love to see live. The band are currently a four-piece centered around the atmospheric songs of Lasek and Goreas whose expansive sound draws from numerous aspects of rock ‘n’ roll history. Lasek is the multi instrumentalist of the group performing all drum tracks and most guitar and bass parts on the album, Goreas adds her deft touch of keys, synths and backing vocals to all tracks.
The album opens with ’46 Satires’ with loads of cruisy synth and an underlying guitar melody that makes you feel as though someone is gently cradling you in a warm bath filled with the sweet scents of honey, roses and lilacs whilst listening to Olga Goreas`s beautifully timbred vocals whispering sweet nothings. ‘And Her Eyes were Painted Gold’ allows Jace Lasek to get into the action with his rich yet smooth vocals somewhat reminiscent of Jeff Buckley`s. Although Lasek is listed as the lead vocalist , this dynamic duo share the vocals throughout the mix.
‘People of the Sticks’ is a standout with the song lifting the tempo a tad and holding a groove that will be loved by the hipster crowd on a Saturday night at the Bondi Road Hotel. ‘The Specter’ is a rare beauty of a track in which I could hear undertones of ’70s supergroup Supertramp and others of their ilk. ‘At Midnight’ and ‘Catalina’ continue the gentle groove of the album, further highlighting Goreas magical vocals. I’d love this woman to read me a bedtime story. I don’t know if you can fall in love with a person just from their voice, can you???
‘Colour Yr Lights In’ again lifts the tempo just enough to cement the fact that these guys would be an impressive live act. With its rolling bass and key lines, I definitely could see these guys performing at an upcoming Harvest Festival or Splendour in the Grass. Day or night, I dont think it would matter. Actually I’m gonna pre-empt that idea and put my money on that we’ll see these guys on our shores before the years out. The final track on the album is a masterpiece as ‘Alamogordo’ unfolds in its introspection on the endurance of the human spirit .
Each of the eight tracks on the album takes you off, coasts, and lands you smoothly. The Besnard Lakes create a distinct and dreamy headspace, an enigmatic and somehow familiar placelessness. It happens in such a way that both the close and casual listener find themselves immersed in the generous sonic vision, one moment as timeless as the next.
Jagjaguwar
8/10
Reviewer: Adam Barbuto