When The Mynabirds' sophomore album thumps to a start, with the distant organ and heavy beat over a moody vocal from Laura Burhenn for "Karma Debt", you may be wondering where all the country soul of the first album went. As the song slowly adds its orchestral layers and backing choir, smoothing out for Burhenn's smoky voice, you may not care. The album marks an evolution for the band to a more beat-centric sound, lending the sexed-up vocals of Burhenn more of an edge. The hand-claps and bluesy guitar frills in the slick title-track and plunking beat rolling alongside a stand-up bass on "Body Of Work" has more of an live-wire sound. The fuzzed-out electronic elements scratching their way through a clanging beat and carefree, new wave inspired synth twirl on "Disarm" leads to one of the album's most memorable hooks as she pleads to stop arguing and get along with her lover.
The piano jabs of "Buffalo Flower" is probably the most similar to their debut, with Burhenn's gracefully slithering vocals lending the sparse jangle plenty of soul, but tracks like the upbeat shimmying riffs and lo-fi vocals on "Radiator Sister" will not leave you longing for their excellent debut. Burhenn's ability to weave a gorgeous vocal remains whether in the beautiful piano and choir ballad "Mightier Than The Sword" or on the buzzing bass line and menacingly plucky piano of "Disaster"; leaving you checking the credits to see if Danger Mouse produced the explosive retro pop track. Burhenn and crew deliver an album every bit as sultry as their last, with a grittier finish that fits them well.
Seek - "Disarm", "Disaster", "Radiator Sister"
For fans of - Cold War Kids
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