The Veils - The Runaway Found
The Runaway Found is good enough for any season, and as long as you have a car with a CD player and a moon roof, you can go anywhere with The Veils.
With the new trend of bands boasting the article “the” in front of their name, I thought that The Veils would be another one of those bands that write less than interesting lyrics to less than amusing music. I was however proven completely wrong upon listening to their latest album The Runaway Found. While running through their discography on their website, I came across their other albums and to a disappointing surprise they had yet release anything besides The Runaway Found and several singles. Officially this album would be their first, but I think dubbing it their greatest hits would suit them much better.
Thank God for a little boy from New Zealand with the artistry of an imaginative painter. Apparently, there is something better than the Lord of the Rings movies that generated from way down under. Finn Andrews (vocals and guitar) may not reveal any of his influences to the public, but there is definitely some kind of muse feeding him to write and sing these words. Three bands come to mind when hearing him sing: Interpol, Nirvana, and Radiohead. Although these bands are clearly far on the musical fruit tree, Andrews creatively integrates each one of their voices into his music and comes out with an end product that cannot disappoint anyone.
First impression: I thought that this band was from the sixties; at least that’s what my initial thoughts were when my friend tossed this album to me. When I found out that they were of the age called NOW, I was spellbound. They are easily able to capture the heart of those who love the good old rock and roll sound. “The Wild Son” is a mixture of orchestral backgrounds, subtle acoustics, and a strong lead guitar that starts off this incredible album upbeat and well in tune. The full sound of the music compliments the tragic lyrics of “you’re knives are sharp when you put them in my heart.” Other sympathetic lyrics to toe tapping songs include “Guiding Light” with words such as “there goes my guiding light / Farewell my guiding light” that is accompanied with doo-wop background vocals and Beach Boys drumming.
“The Leavers Dance” can fit quite well with the new summer season rolling towards us at full speed. With the slow, melancholy of the first couple of notes, the first thing that comes to mind is the spinning of the trees as you look up at the dimming sky. It is hard not to close your eyes and imagine a warm summer’s day with the cooling breeze and walks through Central Park (for those of you from New York). Ending the effort is “The Nowhere Man,” the album’s sweet orchestral postlude. The Veils try to produce an extravagant ending and this little band of strings is used for a certain melodic effect.
If you were a fan of The Veils before this review, I suggest dusting off the CD or vinyl from your collection and keep it close by. The mood of the whole album makes me think of sweet summer days and cool summer nights. However, The Runaway Found is good enough for any season, and as long as you have a car with a CD player and a moon roof, you can go anywhere with The Veils.
(Rough Trade Records)