Atlas
4 March 2014
Domino/Mexican Summer
3.5 stars out of 5
Atlas is Real
Estate’s third proper LP, and the New
Jersey
“Had to Hear” begins things in a lazy Mazzy
Star-without-the-junkie-mumbling manner. One thing that Real Estate are is tidy—there’s not a feedback squelch nor
a pre-singing inhalation to be heard. Nor will you find any unnecessary drum
fills or wonky time signatures in this band’s music, as all of that would break
the spell and toss you out off the moment. Where does that moment situate
itself? In a cabin by the lake, with you, David Roback, Georgia Hubley, and
(though his agent would never let him admit to participating in such an event)
perhaps a somewhat sober-ish and sedated Liam Gallagher. You’re on bass,
obviously (but try to resist your Carlos Dengler aspirations, please). As your
new band begins track three, “Talking Backwards,” it’s becoming clear that this
collaboration has some spark to it, although Liam keeps asking between songs if
there’s a decent Chinese take-away on this block. Reminding him that you’re in
the middle of the fucking woods, you break into “April’s Song,” a sedate but
still appealing instrumental full of tremolo. This gives Liam time for a much
needed pee break, as he’s knocked back four lagers already since “Had to Hear.”
Regardless, you’ve found a nice, mellow (but definitely not dirty flaky hippy) groove
and you’re sticking to it. “The Bend
This is not at all a jam
session, as (like I noted before) you guys are tidy. Everything is very precise here, with no room—or need—for
improvisation. You get to show off your bass skills a little on “Horizon,” and
then as things come to a close with “Navigator,” everyone is close to nodding
off, circling the fireplace with beers in hand and contented smiles on faces.
Until Liam gets a craving for curry and chips, anyway.
reviewed by Richard Krueger
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