Released - 9/8/09
Label - Rounder Records
BLURB - He's back and better than ever. Sondre Lerche returns after a string of successful albums and a film score to release his highly anticipated, 'Heartbeat Radio.' This has absolutely everything you could ask for. Covering every genre from folk to pop to jazz, this album has a soundtrack feel to it, keeping the listener's ears open for the duration of the record. Lerche does a great job at focusing on the minor details and constantly looking for ways to enhance his songs. Some tracks are straight ahead radio pop songs, while others go off onto orchestral tangents and experiments. Move over Rufus Wainwright.
Rating - 10 out of 10
FULL STORY - The first time I saw Lerche was 7 years ago, while opening for the Thrills. He came out to a stereo pumping Beyonce's, 'Dangerously in Love' wearing a white t-shirt and holding an electric guitar in one hand and an amp in the other. No band at all. After his set I bought a CD that I still listen to quite a bit, 'Faces Down.' I've picked up several of his other records and was not surprised when he was asked to score a film a couple years back (Dan in Real Life, featuring Steve Carrell). This project was quite similar to that of Jack Johnson scoring the Curious George film.
Fast forward to the present and we have, 'Heartbeat Radio.' I said that Lerche does well with the minor aspects of his music, here's what I mean. I tried learning a few of his songs back in the day, they are tough. He is always throwing in chord changes in a clever manner. Not just major or minor chords, but diminished, 7th, 9th, 11th and other transitional chords. So you'll be listening to a song, and hear all of these great accents to the melody, only making his songs more dynamic and intuitive. Theory class has now ended.
'Good Luck' is the opening track and enters suspiciously calm. Don't be fooled, this is a masterpiece in the waiting. Soft guitars, followed by a kick drum slowly build as the song builds momentum to Lerche waxing poetic. Chaos ensues after the three minute mark as a full orchestra enters with screeching violins and cellos. As the song begins to conclude this very droll and unimaginative tracks turns into a battle of strings. I can only describe it as something that would be playing in the background of a 1930's dramatic film. The thought process to create this elaborate production and structure is why I like Sondre Lerche. He'll only do this a couple times on each of his records (too much would ruin the album), but I was thrilled to hear this setup on the opening track.
The title track, 'Heartbeat Radio' mocks the music industry and the way in which songs are perceived through mass media today. It's a satirical journey, that ironically doubles as the album's first single. Lerche busts out the acoustic for this tune and offers up some great wordplay.
'I Cannot Let You Go' is the third track on the record and is worked to perfection. Lerche knows how to get everything out of his verses and refrains, and then build a powerful chorus. A faster than usual drum beat and layers of sound really push this song forward. There is also a great little guitar riff that flows in and out of the tune.
This album has garnered a lot of comparisons to The Beatles, actually. I don't know if that's appropriate, but it's being done. If there is any song to best fit this comparison it would be, 'Words and Music.' Here Lerche combines the simple with the complex. A basic chord progression remains steady throughout the track, but there are tiny effects, nuances and changes that would remind someone of the White Album. Once again, a basic song and structure is determined, and then enhanced by Lerche's genius. 'If Only and 'Like Lazenby' could also fall into this humbling category.
'If Only' and 'Easy to Persuade' are also great tracks in their own right. 'If Only' is filled with sudden stops and starts and key changes. The tempo is constantly changing, yet it doesn't affect the general flow of the song. 'Easy to Persuade' is more of a steady, rock-influenced number with a well delivered chorus and an uptempo pace and an amazing last sixty seconds. The two songs here are polar opposites of each other, yet equally great. By pairing them back to back, the listener can really dissect these differing styles and gain an appreciation for them out of their variations.
This would be thirty pages if I kept going. What you need to know is that this is a rewarding record for both Sondre Lerche and the listener. For those unfamiliar with Lerche, his sound on this album has transformed to something of Vampire Weekend, without the pretentiousness, and with more jazz, rock and orchestral influences. His work continues to get better as his career racks up the years. This is definitely up there for best of the year honors
Tracks
1.) Good Luck
2.) Heartbeat Radio
3.) I Cannot Let You Go
4.) Like Lazenby
5.) If Only
6.) Pioneer
7.) Easy to Persuade
8.) Words and Music
9.) I Guess It's Gonna Rain Today
10.) Almighty Moon
11.) Don't Look Down
12.) Goodnight
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