Quick Review (LP): Forever Today by I’m From Barcelona

I’m From Barcelona
Forever Today
Mute; 2011

My Rating: B- (62/100)

Best Tracks: "Charlie Parker", "Get In Line", "Always Spring", "Come On", "Game Is On"

Frustratingly above-average. Forever a B-list band?

NOTES

• I’m From Barcelona make "indie choir" pop symphonies in the best tradition of Sufjan. Their songs are, on whole, a lot more like early Beach Boys than his.
• I have fond memories of their first album. The track "We’re from Barcelona" was fantastic.
• It ain’t really edgy, but these kids can make some catchy tunes.
• This reminds me of Architecture in Helsinki’s latest, but the instrumentation here favors the organic rather than the synthesized.
• "Charlie Parker" is cool. These cats know how to write an opener.
• “We all want to get in line!” Clever.
• This is a very likeable record, but it’s a bit neon, if you know what I mean. Hard to diss, but it ain’t easy to get excited about it either.
• Also, they seem to be writing from a template. Driving beat, major chords, full on instrumental broadside, lead vocal followed by choral vocal, etc.
• The last paragraph of this Pitchfork review is right on. Key excerpt: “What’s ultimately confounding about the album is how one-note its euphoria can be. The songs are almost interchangeable; the lyrics rarely stray beyond the easy cliché.”

ATTRIBUTES
Cohesion (4/5)
Concept (4/5)
Consistency (4/5)
Consequence (3.5/5)
Songs (4/5)