Cabins - Bright Victory

Thu 24th Jun, 2010 in Music Reviews

If Bob Dylan teamed up with MGMT for some classic 70s rock, it might sound something like the new Cabins LP Bright Victory. All comparisons aside, Cabins have created something completely unique and thoroughly enjoyable.

The group recently signed with Ivy League records, and Woody Annison (Black Cab’s Call Signs, Red Rider’s Replica Replica ) produced the new album—Cabins have a lot to live up to, and they don’t disappoint.

Bright Victory opens with Hounds, a bass thumping rock tune that introduces us to Leroy Bressington’s brooding vocals. His voice is layered in a way that echoes the ambient guitar riffs that slide through the song. The tone shifts suddenly with the next track, Oceanic Blues. The song picks along with a discordant, haunting melody—it is definitely the highlight of the album. A twanging mandolin riff gives the song a folk/blues element that becomes satisfyingly melodic at the chorus. Even more exciting is the story-like quality of the lyrics, which add beautiful depth to the feet-stomping bluegrass structure.

The lyricism throughout the album is just as wonderful, as Cabins draw on literary influences to write their music. Despite this, the first single Catcher In The Rye is not about J.D. Salinger’s teen-angst ridden novel, but rather Mark Chapman, John Lennon’s assassin. The dark, heavy ballad certainly reflects its source material with its eerie surf guitar, woozy vocals, and blues piano.

The album’s faster paced rock songs like Mary and Father Ripper lose some of the sulking intensity of previous laid back tracks, but still bring something interesting to the table. There is something undeniably classic about the song structures. With its guitar riffs and keyboard harmonies, Father Ripper would fit right in on a Doors album.

The beautifully tense opening on Foes & Thieves focuses on the strange minor notes and atmospheric, ghostly vocals. Two minutes in, the song changes pace completely and continues to progress in an exciting way. It’s hard not to groove while listening to this track.

The album closes with the strangely hypnotic Calling You Home, which sounds at once tribal and electronic. The vocals weave in and out, back and forth, and on top of each other. The swaying rhythm leaves the listener in a trance until it fades out.

Cabins exceed expectations, and Bright Victory is worth the listen. Stay tuned for the hidden track of Spanish horns following Calling You Home. The album is ear candy for lovers of rock, indie, and folk music alike.