Said The Whale — Islands Disappear

Last year's Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia was a long-player, but it was technically a re-released EP with some extra songs tacked on. That more or less makes Islands Disappear Said The Whale's debut full-length, and it's a clear statement about where the B.C. five-piece are headed.

Islands Disappear's strength lies in its deliberate restraint. We all know Said The Whale have what it takes to make a raucous pop album, but they've instead opted for substance over flare. That chosen direction has them drifting toward New Pornographers territory — crafting songs that start simply, change direction, then gradually mutate into singalong choruses.

They've been compared to The Decemberists in the past, and yes, a few tracks here are also reminiscent of the material on that band's Castaways And Cutouts. The similarities lie mainly in Islands Disappear's nautical and coastal moods and lyrics.

The addition of a single member rarely plays a crucial role in a band's success, but in this case, it would seem new keyboardist Jaycelyn Brown was the missing piece of the Said The Whale puzzle. Her backup singing is an integral part of this album's most memorable tracks.

There isn't a bad song in this bunch. Said The Whale have gone and made a career-defining album much sooner, I'd say, than anyone expected them to.

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