Search - Wild Beasts :: Two Dancers

Equally eloquent and ugly...

Kevin Satterwhite | Houston, TX United States | 09/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wild Beasts will turn many heads. It will not be a surprise if some of those heads turn away. Their lead singers' styles of vocals are a bit unorthodox. They are particularly hard to describe. It's like a mix of Thom Yorke and Curt Smith (of Tears For Fears) at their most distraught. However, those that walk away from this band without giving them a fair chance will be surely missing out on what is essentially one of the best albums of the year.



One thing that will surely draw people in will be the stellar production of "Two Dancers". The organ pad on "The Fun Power Plot" starts off like a tractor beam sucking you in until the muted guitars and hypnotic drums break you out of trance. It's awesome. On my first listen, I was taken aback by Hayden Thorpe's 'all-over-the-wall' vocal style. On "Hooting and Howling," Hayden Thorpe's vocals aren't as hard to swallow. This is the first single from the album and it's a great choice. Hayden shows off this voice, which, while weird is equally amazing (like a quote from this song: "equally eloquent and ugly"). The product is, like "The Fun Power Plot" absolutely stellar.



There are a plethora of songs on here that are just amazingly written. My absolute favorite of the album is "Two Dancer (I)". This song features vocals from the other singer Tom Fleming, who does his best Tears For Fears' Curt Smith impersonation. The sonic guitars and pounding drums of the chorus of this song are the single best moment of the album and I am going out on a limb and place this song high in the top 10 best of the year. "Two Dancers (II)" offers more vocals from Fleming and more incredible production. This is a very gorgeous track. "Empty Nest" could be described the same way but it is more upbeat. There are a ton of U2 "War" era sonic guitars and pounding drums; trust me it all works.



Overall, I find this album to be a smashing success. This is some of the best production I've heard all year. This year has been all about the electronic artists stirring waves(Animal Collective, Fever Ray, Bat For Lashes, Miike Snow, etc). So, this indie rock album is a very welcoming addition to this years best releases. It doesn't take long, if at all, to get used to the vocal styles of this band. And I do attest them to be a welcoming fresh breath."

Mythic Beasts

S.G.R. Black | Denton, Texas | 11/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Whereas "Limbo,Panto,"their excellent debut, consisted of a collection of wonderful songs, "Two Dancers," is the result of meticulous song crafting. All ten songs work on the same level; not one song falls out of step from the one before it. "Two Dancers" has the unique ability to linger long after you've finished it. You immediately want to press the play button again and again, and by all means, do.



If "Two Dancers" feels more mature and sophisticated than its predecessor, then you're probably right. The music and lyrics are tighter and much more controlled. It seems the band knows which buttons to press and which not to press. They're more aware of what works and what doesn't. They have a goal here with "Two Dancers," and by God, they've achieved it! Keeping their animalistic and tribal mood but inquiring more of an atmosphere for those elements to exist in make songs like "Fun Powder Plot, We Still Got The Taste Dancing on Our Tongue, Two Dancers (I & II), and This Is Our Lot" stand out from anything on their debut album or any other album released this year, for that matter. "Two Dancers" is simply a gorgeous album.



A+

*Screw the 52nd Grammy nominations! This is the real Album of the Year!"

Maturing nicely....

Louis Abate | 04/09/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The first song I heard by Wild Beasts was Devil's Crayon off their Limbo, Panto release. It must have been their first single because our local radio station (WERS 88.9) here in Boston gave it quite the rotation. I enjoyed it so much that I picked up their album. It wasn't bad, but as a whole, didn't equal the quality of the few tracks (Devil's Crayon/Vigil For A Fuddy Duddy) I purchased it for.



When I heard All the Kings Men, off their Two Dancers album, my interested was renewed. I sampled the songs on Lala and decided I would give the Beasts another go around. Overall, very happy with my purchase. It sounds like these guys are definitely maturing and the overall quality has gone up tremendously. Some of my favorites...



Very good:

- The Fun Powder Plot

- Hooting & Howling

- The Empty Nest



Excellent:

- All the Kings Men

- Two Dancers

- Two Dancers II

- This is Our Lot



Highly recommend picking this album up if you are a fan of good indie rock...It is worth every penny. Also worth noting that the production qualities are top notch, throw on a pair of good headphones and you will smile."