This title, No Need To Be Downhearted seems like a bit of an oxymoron to me because listening to The Electric Soft Parade's third album (which is actually the first of theirs to be released in the States) is quite the melancholy experience if I do say so myself.
"Melancholy" in the same way guys like The Shins and Beck are, but less radio-friendly albeit a few tracks such as "Misunderstanding" which is catchy in it's own quirky way.
Brothers Alex and Thomas White's trippy Britpop is laden with tired guitars and brooding verses that can not be dissected without mentioning the obvious influence of Silverchair, the lesser known King of this particular brand of indie-rock.
I do, however, understand that catchy does not necessarily promise quality music and this album is full of good-quality music- just a very somber, low-key kind. I think what it all comes down to here is that The Electric Soft Parade has gotten caught up in a few experimental traps.
While they're sometimes beautiful and innovative, I've found that listening to a song or two from No Need is a treat, like watching a good indie flick, but taken all at once I start to feel glum, if not dull. The greatest songs on this disk are indeed the more upbeat, bubbly ones like the aforementioned "Misunderstanding" along with "Have You Ever Felt Like It's Too Late?" and the second to the last track "Appropriate Ending".
It's like this: When they're good, they're awesome and when they're not...well then, they're just not.
"Melancholy" in the same way guys like The Shins and Beck are, but less radio-friendly albeit a few tracks such as "Misunderstanding" which is catchy in it's own quirky way.
