Citay – Much Bigger Things
This post was written by Benjiposted in Uncategorized |
Citay’s sophomore LP Little Kingdom (2007) was anything but ‘little’: expansive soundscapes, swirling guitars of shoegazey deliciousness, and ethereal aesthetics. Well, consider Citay’s new full-length Dream Get Together an aspiration to even greater heights and delectable grooves. As a a big fan of Citay’s previous work, I entered Dream Get Together with a mix of both excitement and anxiety; was it going to live up to my (perhaps unreasonable) expectations? In brief, the answer is that it certainly did, and I tell you why.
When I spoke with lead man Ezra Feinberg back in May-June of last year, he mentioned that the new Citay album was going to to be poppier, looser, more stretched out. I remember him saying to imagine the hair being let down and letting the free flags fly. And yes, Dream Get Together sees a departure from the formula that worked well in Little Kingdom and Citay. Firstly, I hear a great deal more vocals and a deviation from the sort of layered rock that prevailed previously. Lead track “Careful with that Hat” is less of an admonishment as it is a glorious bon voyage onto a wonderful journey laced with spiraling guitars and precious harmonies. “Secret Breakfast” sounds to me as though a flautist were warming up with the sun rays and the whole day’s potential lying before him (an American ‘raga’ of sorts?). “Mirror Kisses” is halfway between an homage to Neil Young and those Ricola Horn Blowers (see here for reference). Perhaps the album’s highlight, “Hunter” is a piece that gradually develops as it flows, with funked-out high-pitched synths seeing solos and then descending seamlessly into a waterfall of shimmering rock goodness. And that ending is just gorgeous! And the titled-pun “Fortunate Sun” is not so reminiscent of CCR as it is a cheery, rolling ditty featuring the classic electric guitar stylings that is Citay’s bread and butter–the lullaby ending is as delightfully fragile as it gets.
Don’t miss out on Dream Get Together.
Courtesy of Dead Oceans:
Listen to “Careful with that Hat”
Listen to “Mirror Kisses“
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