Album Review

It has been 2 years since the last Dears release and in that time the amorphous Canadian group has gone from duo to band to duo again. As of right now, the Dears consists of its founders, Murray Lightburn and Natalia Yanchak. And it appears that it is going to stay that way for a while. With The Dears, however, you never know.

Their newest musical endeavor, Missiles, is not supposed to be out until October 21st, but due to a little thing we like to call the Internet, it is now available at your nearest torrent bit downloader! I received word of the leak from the band members themselves:

email between a friend of ours and us:

On 15-Sep-08, at 8:15 AM, ******* **** wrote:

Your album leaked this morning.

On 15-Sep-08, at 8:17 AM, ******* **** wrote:

It’s out there.

On 15-Sep-08, at 8:15 AM, Murray Lightburn wrote:

i heard.

So there you have it, friends: our new album and finest work to date, still not due for several weeks, is out there. While we are 100% appreciative that people care enough, The Dears are still pretty old-school. This was not exactly our intention and to be honest, even though it’s kind of cool, we can’t help feeling a little bit devastated. We were always aware of the inevitability, as we are living in the modern age. In fact, we don’t expect anyone to empathize at all. Nevertheless, you now have these options:

a.) download it now.
b.) wait and buy it later.
c.) both.

If we may have any say in the matter, whatever option you choose, we truly hope you enjoy it. We are excited and terrified all at once. Please give it a proper listen, maybe at least four times to start because it is pretty massive, intricate, layered. Much love, much care, and about 16 hours a day for so many, many weeks (months?) went into the making and delivery of it. We work hard for our patrons. In addition, we are not even certain of the quality of the files out there are like but we do know that the official version (out on OCT 20/21 worldwide) is of the utmost quality, mastered by the great Bob Ludwig. The sleeve and lyric book in the packaged version are also very cool so we really do trust that you’ll pick it up when it is released formally.

Eternally Grateful,
THE DEARS

Obviously, I chose option A. My apologies to the band but I was just too eager. If it is any consolation, guys, those 16 hour days paid off.

From the lovely saxophone of “Disclaimers” to the slow organ of “Saviours,” Missiles unfolds with a combination of rock, blues, and pop and it does so incredibly eloquently. The album manages to have intricately arranged track after intricately arranged track without exhausting the listener. The instrumentation and layering of the album are probably its most impressive component. The mere fact that the musicians heard on Missiles are almost new to the band only adds to this.

Much like Murray Lightburn’s voice, Missiles exudes the perfect balance of vulnerability and defiance. Songs like “Lights Off” capitalize on this fact by elevating the frontman’s hushed tones as the song’s tempo picks up and courses through a flurry of instrumental layers. “Dream Job,” the third track, fuses strings, piano, and Murray’s subdued voice to form a melancholy yet uplifting ditty.

Another thing to be noted is the magnetic connection between the band’s founding members. After listening to Missiles, it becomes quite obvious why The Dears continues to be Murray and Natalia’s baby. “Money Babies,” in particular, highlights their explosive chemistry, as the two beautifully harmonize throughout the entire song and turn its catchy melody into an anthem of sorts.

I will say this, however. The band is right in requesting multiple listens; it is the only way to truly appreciate the masterful album. For a day or two I found myself reverting back to No Cities Left and Gang of Losers, but I can now honestly say that this new one not only matches but exceeds the excellence of the Canadian band’s previous work. It just needs time.

The Dears are currently on tour promoting Missiles. Their live shows have actually been described as “…the sonic equivalent of seeing the face of God.” I don’t know about all that, but I find it difficult to imagine a band that produces such high quality work performing sub-par shows, so I suggest you check them out if you can.

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