no one does it like department of eagles
Music can be a rather scary business at times. I'm not referring to the snakes in the grass that make up the music industry, or the glass bottles oft hurled towards musicians. I'm talking about the actual music. One particular song that used to creep the hell out of me was "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! / I Want You (She's So Heavy) / Helter Skelter" by The Beatles off the Love album. It sends a shiver down my spine. It's not just the bassline of She's So Heavy kicking in but the mixture of Mr Kite's circus noises (a laughing clown) and the general insanity of Helter Skelter is terrifying. It's a cracking wee track.
The debut album of Department of Eagles "In Ear Park" consistently has the same effect on me, and it's quality. The sound is totally unique- haunting vocals and a raft of instrumental parts that mix effortlessly. I guess it's almost baroque, with a few fingerprints of Beirut, but there's simply no other band that sounds like these guys. It's all well and good having a revolutionary sound but DOE have backed it up with excellent production and top notch songwriting.
The single "No One Does It Like You" is a prime example of this. There's a super bassline that sticks in your head within 10 seconds: exquisite harmonies and beauty from the start to the end. However, it's the string part that gets me in the verses. Each chord change seems to take you by surprise: it's a carefully constructed symphony that drops jaws to the floor. The vocal harmonies just resonate throughout the song: they never take precedence but slot into the background, just as important as any other instrument. "Phantom Other" is another highlight, slowly building, part by part into this completely over the top chorus, before breaking back down to a guitar and vocal.
Check out the bizarre video at the bottom of the page.
for this post
Leave a Reply