You've got disaster on your mind

Yet another post prompted by a fantastic concert. Friday night I got to see The Besnard Lakes for the second glorious time, and it was everything I could have hoped for.


The Besnard Lakes - Devastation

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My friend Mr. Scotty B introduced me to this band with the track above. While this show focused mostly on material from their most recent album, "The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night," they still played all of my favorite cuts from "...Are the Dark Horse" with nearly flawless execution, including "Disaster" and "You Lied To Me."


The Besnard Lakes - Like the Ocean, Like the Innocent Pt. 2 - The Innocent

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"...Roaring Night" is mostly in the same vein as "...Dark Horse" but the Lakes let the songs breathe a bit more this time around. The crescendos last a bit longer, the dynamic contrasts are a little wider and all in all, the record is more epic in scope. Songs like "Land of Living Skies" and "Light Up the Night" start almost imperceptibly and build to enormous finishes, taking you on a journey that gets more and more exciting as it nears its end. Jace Lasek's urging "Run and ask her to stay / As she's walking away" in the penultimate track becomes a fitting analogue to the feeling one gets at the end of the record. You don't want it to end.


The Besnard Lakes - Light Up the Night

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Thankfully, one of my favorite things about this band, their vocal harmonies, have only improved with time, having grown more lush and powerful since the last go-around. Even live, all four members get into the act, conjuring up gorgeous block harmonies that would likely make Brian Wilson proud and Fleet Foxes maybe a little bit nervous. If you can catch them on their current tour, do so. In any regard, do something nice for yourself and pick up "The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night" when you get the chance.