October 2008 Archive |
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Department Of Eagles
In Ear Park
Review By Chris Drabick
What to do when it has been over two years since your favorite band has released its masterpiece, and you wait for them to bless the world again with its sweet sounds? If your favorite band is Grizzly Bear, you tide yourself over with Daniel Rossen’s side project, and subsequently find yourself quite surprised (and pleased) at how much the new Department of Eagles record, In Ear Park, sounds like his principle band. This is surprising for two reasons: first, Grizzly Bear is always assumed to be Edward Droste’s band, as he is the founding member and principal songwriter. Second, this happens to be the second Department of Eagles record, but 2003’s The Cold Nose sounds very little like this record.
What it sounds like is Grizzly Bear, with “Phantom Other,” “Around the Bay” and “Classical Records” being nearly indistinguishable from Rossen’s primary band. The quality is nearly indistinguishable as well, and Rossen (along with DoE’s other member Fred Nicolaus, Rossen’s former NYU roommate) provides a couple of numbers that are perhaps even more immediately likeable than some of GB’s tunes (witness “No One Does It Like You,” a stomper just waiting for an ad agency’s check). If you’re tired of waiting for Grizzly Bear to finally follow up Yellow House, and the Radiohead-opening slots and late-night talk show appearances aren’t enough to tide you over, then check out Rossen’s Department of Eagles. You may be surprised at how much easier the waiting becomes while In Ear Park is playing.
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