Los Campesinos! made two of the best albums of 2008: their visceral debut Hold on Now, Youngster... and the nearly-equal follow-up faux-EP We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed. My first thought: prolific, anyone?
It's not surprising then that their one-year hiatus produced the 15-track barrage Romance is Boring, which overflows with (dark, provocative, often elegant, often comical) ideas. Most of the experimentation pays off (like killer opener "In Medias Res"), just watch out for those that fall flat (the raw ra-ra of "Plan A"). And don't expect a smooth ride.
Los Campesinos! have two dimensions to their alluring madness: words and temperment.
I'm not arguing that it all makes sense, but how can you argue against lines like "I'm leaving my body to science/Not medical but physics," "I think we need more post-coital and less post-rock," "Said I'd gone deaf/But I'd heard everything they said/It's just I had no interest," and even the album's titular "romance is boring."
This all might sound pretentious on paper, or if it were strewn over an acoustic guitar (check the song titles, e.g. "This Is a Flag. There Is No Wind"). Not a problem: they tie this sensible nonsense to a fitting high-energy constitution. The result: Another great effort from on of music's most interesting and compelling outfits.
Essential Tracks:
"There Are Listed Buildings"
"Straight in at 101"
"In Medias Res"
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