Album: Days
Release Date: 14/10/2011
Real Estate with a stronger but just as charming sound
As much as Real Estate's self- titled debut was a slight gem to behold during summertime, it always hinted at potential rather than actually fulfilling it. As lush as the the shimmering "Suburban Dogs" and hazily charming "Fake Blues" were, everything seemed flimsy, like a band who knew exactly what they wanted to do but couldn't quite put their finger on what they needed to do to achieve the right sound. The band's second effort "Days" is both rather different and rather similar at the same time, and seemingly gets the balance between charming lo- fi haze and relative strength just right.
Opener "Easy" possesses the lo- fi, hazy charms and intricate and tuneful picking prevelant on the band's debut. However, it sounds much more potent. It sounds like the most restrained moments on The Stone Roses' self- titled debut, but has all the musical depths that those under- appreciated gems did. "Green Aisles" goes even further into maturity, both lyrically and musically. It's picking is reminiscent of The Smiths at their most macabre and morose, whilst the lyrics tell a hazy and somewhat mournful tale of stoner romance as front man Martin Courtney sings "All those wasted months/ all those English drugs...". The best moment however comes with "Out Of Tune", a glistening and beautiful piece of Deerhunter- esque guitar pop, with sparkling keyboards to back it up.
No one could ever claim that Real Estate are worthy of nomination for the originality awards, as most of their charms are recycled from their debut. However what's different this time is that "Days" is the record "Real Estate" should have been. It's built on the potential they conjured up previously, turned it into something bigger, and in doing so hinted at the even higher places this band could venture in the future. Who needs originality?
Download: 1) "Out Of Tune", 2) "Green Aisles", 3) "Easy"
For Fans Of: The Stone Roses, Pavement, The Smiths
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