The Dream Syndicate – These Times (LP)
This is rather an intensely brilliant album, where even while talking about these crazy days, they manage their revelations without sounding bleak or getting themselves mired in the darkness. If anything, the album is filled with middle of the night clarity, like waking from a dream that simply feels far too real. Even so, the album is not composed of songs that are happy or sad, the sonic projection delivered here is a rolling sensation of ‘this is just what it is.’ On that note, I had concerns that the record would be far too avant garde, though as some sort of vacant voice from over the airwaves, it’s very deceptively listenable and compelling, smoothly dancing from my speakers as a radio show that’s demanding my attention, though in an entirely nurturing manner. Much of this has to do with Steve Wynn’s vocals, sounding maturely warm and willing, back by wishful harmonies that circle the air within my listening space … especially on the intoxicatingly haunting song “Bullet Holes.”
Dream Syndicate come across as delightfully welcoming and elementally nostalgic, though in a charming manner, like an old key that unlocks a new door. They are not afraid to cite their heroes here, with nods to the Beatles on “The Way In,” while even Steely Dan time signatures and references from the song “Throw Back The Little Ones” can be found creeping in around the edges on “The Whole World Is Watching”. Without a doubt all of the songs have been well considered and crafted, unorthodoxly impressive, immersive, musically rich and at times very rocked out and danceable. Dream Syndicate have lost none of their skills, where if I’d heard this album 40 years ago it would have rocked my world as hard as Days Of Wine And Roses did back in 1982, all with the band still sounding as if they are just getting started, underscoring their intensity and energetic satisfaction.
Label: Anti- – 87659-1
Country: US
Media Condition: Mint (M)
Sleeve Condition: Mint (M)