Categories : Folk + Roots, Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
 |
Rating: 4 / 5 Reviewer: Greg Hutton |
Each component of The Olympic Symphonium’s latest effort, The City Won’t Have Time To Fight, is allowed ample room to breathe, which is the greatest strength of the album. There are few surprising elements on The City, as it is primarily driven by finger-picked acoustic guitars, gentle, floating electric guitar melodies, occasional piano, and subtle percussion. However, it is a striking example of how allowing each element its turn to shine in an admittedly low-key spotlight results in a better than average indie-folk effort.
Consistency is a key-element to the album’s success, relying less on highs vs. lows or singles vs. filler and instead presenting a unified whole. A few songs serve as standouts, including ‘Settle Down.’ which would not sound out of place on a Lou Barlow solo album, as well as the final one-two of ‘Oiseau’ and ‘Crowded House,’ which find the band amping up the energy ever so slightly while still maintaining the basic elements at the heart of the album. Overall, however, the album is more likely to wash over listeners rather than continually remind them of their progress though it, mimicking a well-paced marathon rather than a series of sprints.
Even though there are not many chances taken on The City, it stands up after repeated listens and is well-suited for those times when it is more appealing to be absorbed into a work than repeatedly challenged. All told, The Olympic Symphonium has created an immediately inviting, rewarding environment that seems the perfect compliment to Sunday dinners.
