Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer [Album]

Jagjaguwar

As we approach the end of this century’s first decade, those who are wise enough to understand that musical genius is not the preserve of previous generations, and who crave it enough to go and seek it out, can look back and recognise that one of the decade’s most prolific musical talents was Canada’s Spencer Krug. Eight albums to date since 2005 (two apiece with Wolf Parade and Swan Lake, and four from Sunset Rubdown) demonstrate Krug’s tireless work ethic and incessant creative output, but those who have managed to keep up with his relentless pace will know that quantity has not come at the cost of quality. Whilst it would be giddy to suggest that each album has been a complete work of genius, certainly every single one has had such moments.

And so it is with Dragonslayer, the third album Sunset Rubdown have released since Krug fleshed this project out with a full band, and the follow-up to 2007’s wondrous 'Random Spirit Lover'. Krug’s lyrics are as steeped in murky metaphor as ever, so I’ll avoid trying to solve his latest cryptic crosswords. That said, there is always poetry in his prose, and this volume is no different. “Idiot Heart”, which sounds, in parts, like Interpol might have sounded had their last album actually been any good, has a few fine examples. “he walked around, like he owned the joint / just like Icarus thought he might own the sky" is later followed by the equally dramatic "I hope that you die… in a decent pair of shoes / you've got an awful lot of walking to do...where you’re going to".

Another particular highlight, “Nightingale/December Song”, is further evidence of Krug’s understanding and appreciation for folk music, just as ‘All Fires’ and ‘Us Ones in Between’ have been in the past. In a parallel universe this song is being belted out by merry men, tankards swaying to the rhythm, emotions rising with the smoke. Back in this world however, rousing anthems such as the Ziggy Stardust sprinkled “Silver Moons” and “You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)” simply bolster an already burgeoning catalogue of largely undiscovered masterpieces.

Whether Krug, in any of his present or future guises, will ever recruit significant numbers to his army of apostles is unknown, but what is known is that those who already rank among them, will worship at his alter until such time as the great man no longer does what comes so naturally to him. As for those who’ll never learn to love his work – damn their idiot hearts.

Track List:
1. Silver Moons
2. Idiot Heart
3. Apollo and the Buffalo and Anna Anna Anna Oh!
4. Black Swan
5. Paper Lace
6. You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)
7. Nightingale / December Song
8. Dragon's Lair