Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

Everybody’s favorite band that falsely claims they’re from Barcelona is releasing their sophomore album Who Killed Harry Houdini?. I was wildly impressed by I’m From Barcelona’s debut album, instantly falling in love with the epic chorii and lovingly done instrumentation. My anticipation for a follow-up album was high, but I have to say that Who Killed Harry Houdini? leaves much to be desired.  The theme (if there is one) is convoluted, and the Harry Houdini reference is incoherent and inconsistent throughout the album.  The song names (mostly people’s first names) seem like they’d be more suited for an Allman Brothers’ album.  But I think I’d be able to forgive all these things if the album were a little more sonically enticing. “Ophelia” recaptures the magic of their past debut with its arching chorus and its lightness, but it doesn’t build on anything. Most of the album is fixated on creating dissonance (”Andy”, for example) but fails to ever offset it with any harmony (though “Rufus” makes a good case).  And hence, I end up simply confused and anxious, but not in a way that will make me want to come back and listen to this repeatedly.  But it’s also quite possible that I’m entirely full of it, and I want your opinions.

Get a copy of Who Killed Harry Houdini?

Listen to “Ophelia”

Listen to “Rufus“