HOUSEBOAT

Having previously prompted comparisons to post-rock groups of the more neo-classical persuasion (in the vein of Rachel's, Clogs and labelmates Balmorhea) the band spread their wings a little further on Houseboat, exhibiting a finely tuned, roving ear that's able to latch onto wild, esoteric sounds whilst preserving the levels of accessibility you'd expect from the likes of Efterklang and Sigur Ros. There's much to take in, but perhaps over and above the rich, string-layered instrumentals on offer, the more direct songwriting approach heard on the early tracks is most revelatory. 'Cotton Curls' in particular excels with its glazed-over melodic impressionism, and next up, on 'We Were Dripping' the band start to sound like a hybrid of Akron/Family's rustic wyrdness and Animal Collective's psyched electronics. (Chronique du site Boomkat)