NW Reviews: Fanfarlo – Reservoir

November 11, 2009

By nickwan

Fanfarlo might be considered the most scene band of the year. Running up a ruckus at SXSW and CMJ this year, Fanfarlo has the sound of a refined Beirut and the hype of a broken up 90s band’s reunion show. Aside from tearing up the indie scene with it’s “organic” sound and pseudo-lo fi production, does it stand on two legs or is this another “it” band still crawling around?

It’s the new thing to sound like you’re a singery-songwritery band but the live show is packed with 12 – 120 people on stage with shakers and balloons and instruments that aren’t even mic’d or do anything to move the song/show forward. Some bands, like Manchester Orchestra, hang on the live show bearing more members on stage than there are members in the band or square footage on the stage they are playing. Aside from the fire marshal not being too happy about this, some people (like me) have a hard time trying to wade through whether I like the band because the music is actually good or if the live show is what draws me to them. For the kids in Manchester Orchestra, I like their music. But I was definitely disappointed when I picked up their album after I first heard them live since the intensity of their live show doesn’t bear a mark on the album. As for this band, Fanfarlo, I feel that the album could possibly do the band justice if the live show doesn’t sound like shouting in a small room to me. And based off these videos I’ve seen plastered over the uberindie super scene blogs… yes, Fanfarlo is the real deal.

So, now that Fanfarlo passes the “real band” test, does their album bear any weight? Well, you have a unique blend of zero synths and a lot of instrumentation (isn’t that what music is supposed to be anyway?). On top of this, you have a guy whose voice isn’t that great if this were that singer-songwriter project that it definitely could have been (and probably was at one point). So to make up for the lack of powerful vocals, you do have a nice blend of great listenable music. Not just musicianship that makes you doing Riemann sums to figure out the time signature, but music for the sake of being able to play simple and clean, catchy music. And yes, the musicians are good as well, but that’s beside the point. This album isn’t about showcasing any musician at any point of the album. This album is all about putting you in a mood to dance, sing along, and/or put you in a good mood.

The pros: actual instruments! It’s so hard to get a band where all the members play the instruments they are noted for playing in the studio and on stage as well. Lately, bands have been taking that “studio versus live” look at albums and creating two different entities for themselves. It’s not a band thing other bands do this, it’s just very refreshing when a band doesn’t go with the flow of the scene some times. And Fanfarlo succeeds luckily.

The cons: it’s not as great as people make it sound. Yes, it’s a good album and it’s nice to listen to but this isn’t smashing or breakthrough. It might be the best available for the type of indie rock these guys are playing, but by no means have they flipped a switch.

Who would like this: people into pop-rock. Bands like Beirut, Mates of State, Silversun Pickups, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Minus the Bear, etc. Those bands that fill that indie-pop niche would all be great touring buddies for these guys. It’s just a shame his voice isn’t as powerful as some of the other singers in this field of music. If this guy’s voice was a little more his own and less stock for this kind of music, this band would be all over the radio. In an even better aspect of this band, I think Fanfarlo could possibly be one of the bridging bands to get more of this slightly progressive indie-pop rock on the airwaves. Songs like “Harold T. Wilkins or How to Wait For a Very Long Time” and “The Walls are Coming Down” are great radio friendly songs. They might not be as hooky as the songs on right now, but I do believe there is a space for them somewhere. KROQ I’m looking at you.

As for… album. Of. The Year. You know what, I’d be lying to myself if this wasn’t competitive. It’s just as strong as Tegan and Sara’s effort in my mind, and comparable to that of Owen’s album… but I don’t really see this snowballing into the next aspect of music. The argument would be whether or not this band can bridge what is on the radio to a scene that isn’t really publicized, and although one would like to believe that one day this scene will get it’s up-and-attem’s I really don’t feel that the “next big step” is radio friendly music. That really isn’t what this is all about, is it? It’s about what sounds good. So, as far as sounding good, yes it can be comparable to that of a lot of the list I’ve compiled… but as far as mindblowing? Sorry Fanfarlo and tribe, let it simmer a year and we’ll see.

Tags: album of the year, Fanfarlo, good album, Reservoir

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