Here is the third album that I am reviewing the shortlist nominees in alphabetically order.
It is Braid‘s Native Speaker.
This album was released in January and reviewed back on Janurary 14, 2011.
Since it’s release, the band has gain alot of buzz and critical praise outside of Canada.
It is no surprise that they were able to make it on the Polaris Prize Shortlist.
Another diverse band that is in the running.
At first I couldn’t describe what their music was like.
It wasn’t until when I saw them at NXNE, that this friend told me that they are the Canadian version of Animal Collective.
Depending on how the juror members will vote.
The only disadvantage with Native Speaker is that the tracklisting is short.
But the tracks are very long and some past the 4 minute mark.
I seem to love Glass Deer and has a deeper meaning than just being a long 8 minute song.
The album is very different in this year’s shortlist.
I’d say Native Speaker will have a 70% chance of winning it. I am eyeing them as one of the underdogs if they manage to win it.
Its still early 2011 and already there is hype surrounding Braids.
Native Speaker is their first full-length and it will drop on January 18, 2011.
Will Native Speaker be the album of 2011 and make it in people’s best of list this early on?
There has been various media buzz surrounding them.
The album was suppose to come out in 2010 but they got lucky in being signed to Kanine Records (USA) and Flemish Eye (CAN).
A young band that can write and make really great music.
At first when I read that Native Speaker had seven tracks, I was like this is going to be a short album.
The shortest being Plath Heart which is on a Nike website.
The longest being Native Speaker at 8:24 minutes.
As before reviewing their Set Pieces EP, it is like a mix between Sigur Ros and Azeda Booth.
The whole album is filled with artfully, beautiful and dream-like sound.
Beginning with the catchy and vibrant “Lemonade” which feels like you are in the summer playing in a park while drinking Lemonade
While “Plath Heart” is a trippy sonic pop tune.
“Glass Deer” is one intense epic tune filled with detailed layers of instrumental sounds and vocals (With alot of f-bombs being dropped).
The Sigur-Ros style of “Native Speaker” feels like you are in a dream-like state.
The hypnotic dark beats to Lammicken is filled with layered vocals and beats.
The instrumental track “Little Hand” ends it off with a gentle wave goodbye.
Listening to the whole album feels like you are reliving the fun and care-free days of being youthful teenager.
A well done beautiful album filled with fun, joy and chillaxing tunes.
I applaud the band to make a bold step in making music that they like to make and not be told on how to do it.
Best tracks:
- Lemonade
- Plath Heart
- Glass Deer
- Native Speaker
- Lammicken
- Same Mum
- Little Hand
Check out the Teen Daze remix of Glass Deer (via Dailybeatz).
I’m giving Native Speaker 10/10!
Next album on the shortlist will be Destroyer’s Kaputt.
