One week I have intensive listening to the album and can affect me. And I came to the following conclusion: "Kintsugi" is really good and diverse. It does not quite reach the quality of "Transatlanticism" or "plan", but it does definitely in the upper section of dcfc albums. The melodies and harmonies of "Kintsugi" strongly reminiscent of "Codes and Keys", but lyrically it suggests a different direction.
"Kintsugi" to beat a wonderful balance between farewell and new beginning, longing and release creates. The songs radiate an incredible melancholy, which one can not escape. The melancholy force has always been something that has been identified as dcfc band. The new album is in my eyes but possibly the most melancholy of the entire tape path.
Perhaps the biggest selling point of "Kintsugi" is the diversity. No song sounds like another. The first half of the album is characterized by feelings of longing, of wandering and of the problem, people can not let go. This strength is particularly evident in the extremely catchy "The Ghosts of Beverly Drive" and very emotional, powerful, but never kitschy "You've Haunted Me All My Life" - a song like none before dcfc. "No Room in frame" is an experimental opener that pretty much sets the basis for what follows. "Hold No Guns" is a small acoustic ballad that is reminiscent of the Beatles. "Little Wanderer" on the other hand is a classic dcfc song.
In contrast, the second half covers topics such as hope and the ability to look ahead. "Good Help (Is So Hard to Find)" and "Ingenue" are tracks that old dcfc mix skillfully with new elements. They sound familiar in some ways, but they have the charm of the unknown itself. "Binary Sea" is a beautiful piano song that completes the album beautifully. This piece summarizes once again the complete opposite - the "binary" - spectrum of topics together.
Of course, it's no surprise that just issues like farewell, longing and a new beginning "Kintsugi" account. It goes hand in hand with getting the guitarist Christopher Walla. Wallas exit is in many ways a loss for the band. Nevertheless, it managed dcfc to make a wonderful albums that is both Walla, as well as the complex issues justice. The album is composed of different, conflicting elements such as new and old, hope and longing, farewell and welcome - like the Japanese art Kintsugi precisely.
Unfortunately, the album is not without weaknesses. Songs like "Everything's a Ceiling", "Black Sun" and especially "El Dorado" have no great recognition value. You left me not really feel and are more likely to filter songs for other tracks. Moreover, I had a whole still liked more courage for Experimental and penetration into new musical areas. It is precisely "You've Haunted Me All My Life" or "Good Help (Is So Hard to Find)" show what can arise for great songs, if you let the experiment run. Certainly the album is at times also relatively poppy. However, that's not a negative criterion for me; especially since the band has always been pop influences had (for example see the albums "The Photo Album" or "Transatlanticism").
In summary it can be said that "Kintsugi" has become a solid "Codes and Keys" successor. In my opinion, contrary to many Fanmeinungen, "Codes and Keys" terrific. So if you like C & K, which is also here have his joy. Although the new album does not quite reach the level is not as experimental, but is a wonderful drive that takes along a for 45 minutes on a journey of different feelings.
