Album Details

• Artist: Handsome Furs
• Album: Face Control
• Label: Sub Pop
• Year of Release: 2009
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: MusicCritic on 2009-02-25

When one of the key members of one of your favorite bands decides to take time off to work on a side-project with his/her partner, it's natural for a certain level of concern to arise. After all, rock n' roll has seen numerous relationships get in the way of the music. Well, fear not, Dan Boeckner fans. With the release of Handsome Furs' sophomore album, Face Control, Boeckner and wife Alexei Perry have confirmed the Fur's legitimacy as more than just a distraction from the main event.

Though it is a significant step forward for the band, Face Control follows much the same formula as the Fur's first release, Plague Park: Boeckner alternating between his desperate vocal howls and his wailing, distorted guitar; Perry adding a warm pop sound to the mix with her controlled synth. The drum machine leaves something to be desired, but is excusable given the intensity of the effort elsewhere.

Tracks such as ‘Nyet Spasiba' and ‘Radio Kalinngrad' add to the Russian theme of an album which features songs about the duo's time touring the other Great White North. Much like the history of the influencing country, Face Control is an album that doesn't shy away from periods of violence, as songs such as ‘Evangeline' and ‘I'm Confused' grab the listener with their seemingly violent (you know, the good violent) mood swings. This album is nothing if not dark, moody and rockin'.

Tyler Wolfe

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