Through the lengthy gestation period between TD albums, the group worked with recording engineer Jason McEntire at a variety of studios around town, fashioning together the final eight tracks (with one bonus, re-worked and clipped outro). All the cuts come compliments of the group’s two main songwriters, guitarist Ben Hinn and bassist Kevin Bachmann, with contributions from band members both past and present. With a somewhat rotating group behind them, Hinn and Bachmann and company have been able to keep a consistent sound and vision alive on the record, while sprinkling in enough interesting touches to keep the album from ever dragging.
And, make no mistake, this one’s truly an album.
While the band’s first, self-titled effort also contained eight cuts, you could tell that the band was still in the process of finding itself, with solid tracks bumping against one another, but not necessarily coalescing into a complete, natural whole. That’s not an issue here, as the lead cut, “Pale Glow,” segues rather-effortlessly into the second offering, “Ducks in a Row.” So much so, that a casual listener might not at first catch that the songs are split. As smart group will do, these two lead cuts might have the most pop-for-the-buck, and starting off the record with them makes no small amount of sense. They really speak to the group’s basic aesthetic and they’ve got a decidedly hummable quality. (As they’ve already been getting airplay on KDHX, the hummability is confirmed.)
The third track, the album’s title cut, showcases another aspect of the group’s personality, an extended slow burn, checking in at nearly eight minutes. Coming from the same playbook is “The Prickly Fingers of Sante Muerte,” the album’s last full-play, which checks in at a second-under-six-minutes. Each feels just right at that length, neither being padded-out or redundant. Each, with half-buried female harmonies, delayed tambourine claps and trance-y hooks, nod to the various groups that people will inevitably point towards when discussing Troubadour Dali.
Younger fans will no doubt reach for comparisons to the Black Angels, the Brian Jonestown Massacre, the Dandy Warhols and the Warlocks; while fans with a bit more gray along the temple will think of acts like the Jesus and Mary Chain and any of the ‘80s psych groups featuring the Roback brothers (Opal, Mazzy Star, Raindy Day and Rain Parade). It’s been pointed out in the first reviews—and it’s true—that the shoegazing’s a bit more prominent in the mix this time out, and fans of, say, the last two albums of Ride, will find a comfortable place to land here, as well.
While this is a lovely record, indeed, one that’s going to be in the discussion of best local albums of 2011, the group excels in the live setting, too. They’ll be officially releasing Let’s Make it Right at Off Broadway on Saturday, August 6, with a $10 show, $13 for those under 21. They’ll also be shaking out the closet of other, top local rock bands, sharing the stage for a long night of music with the Ocean Rivals, Secret Colours and the Blind Eyes. Doors at at 7:30 and bands start at 8 p.m.
Those wishing to be completists can go the group’s Myspace page for cuts from their first record, plus the standout “Spirit of ‘67” at myspace.com/troubadourdali. You can sample some newer sound clips, while getting the latest on the Euclid Records label at label.euclidrecords.com.
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