White Denim are a band that are difficult to categorise using the plethora of buzz words available to describe sound. Psychedelic, spazz-jazz, alternative, blues-jazz, country, pop, garage, exercise, post-rock, and party jams are a few of the more popular terms associated with the four piece from Austin, and none of them really do justice to the schizophrenic nature of their work. White Denim take pleasure in simply being White Denim and their sonic explorations make for an intense listening experience.
D is the band’s fourth studio release and displays more of their exceptional musicianship and quirky sense of humour. This is a band who are tighter than the hippest hipster’s skinny pants and they will blow your mind with their hedonistic productions. D has a more relaxed vibe than it’s predecessor, 2009’s Fits, but the raw energy of White Denim’s creative process still shines through.
Opener “It’s Him!” is a bewildering blend of country-esque, prog that powers along steadily before the band completely switch tempo and throw in a massive rock riff and then end the track exactly where it started. “Anvil Everything” sees James Petralli’s gentle vocals swirl in a haze of guitar and drum chaos that is sheer bliss. “Bess St.” travels in all directions as the band fuse their love of informal improvisation and seventies rock, exploring endless instrumental tangents that are mixed so abruptly one could be forgiven for thinking they’ve walked into a different song.
The contradictions in the music is one of White Denim’s many strengths as they move seamlessly between time signatures and genres all within the space of a four minute track. D is dense and jarring in places, leaving the listener with plenty of mystery to unravel. The album doesn’t pack the same punch that Fits and Last Day Of Summer delivered, but it is a solid release full of feel good jams that is best consumed loudly with the stereo set on repeat.
Review Score: 7/10
Image from: stereogum.com
