Release Date: April 19, 2011
If it were 1960 The High Llamas might feet seamlessly into the music industry. Much of their music has been influenced by 1960s film composers giving The High Llamas a distinct retro sound. Think Burt Bacharach’s “The Look of Love” meets Bibio’s “All the Flowers.”
The High Llamas are notorious for going on long breaks between releasing albums. Irish frontman Sean O’Hagan claims he has too many external pressures, which lead to the musical gaps. The Llamas have also been musically compared to the Beach Boys during Brian Wilson’s more experimental days. Talahomi Way will probably be no different with its syrupy melodies and feathery vocals.
What makes Talahomi Way interesting is how palpable the music is. Opener “Barry Adams” feels heavy and humid but the synth adds some radiance. The song makes one visualize floating down a lagoon deep in Costa Rica. The harmony heavy vocals of the song leave the group feeling like a 1960’s pop group.
Musically, Talahomi Way is weightless and gorgeous. The album takes turns through delicate strings and robust horns leaving listeners breathless. The first 25 seconds of “Wander, Jack Wander” sounds like one of those classic Bacharach compositions until fluttering strings enter. The song is one of the few completely instrumental on the album.
Therein lies the downfall.
The music is so well done that the lyrics weigh it down. In the title track, the music is a little more folk-influenced with harmonicas soothing the melody. Fortunately, the song is only lyric-heavy in the first minute of the song. The lyrics are about traveling and arriving at a hotel. Seriously, that’s it. “Take My Hand” is predictable: “Take my hand and run it through the sand.”
Talahomi Way also hits some musical speed bumps. “A Rock in May” drips with blurred synth and sounds as if it could be used for some dusty sitcom. It discusses a Southern garden that “sparkles a surprise”. There’s really nothing too special about the track.
It’s too bad The High Llamas didn’t release a strictly instrumental album. While not all the lyrics are terrible, they just don’t seem to fit atop the music paired with them.
The High Llamas – Talahomi Way Tracklist:
- “Berry Adams”
- “Wander, Jack Wander”
- “Take My Hand”
- “Woven and Rolled”
- “The Ring of Gold”
- “Talahomi Way”
- “Fly Baby, Fly”
- “Angel Connector”
- “To The Abbey”
- “A Rock in May”
- “Crazy Connector”
- “Calling Up, Ringing Down”
