song of the day: may 18/2011

Fanfarlo - Luna
Album: Reservoir [2009]

for anyone who's paid the least attention to the tasteful, tuneful, rootsy strain of indie rock that was in ascendance throughout the mid- to late 2000s, fanfarlo's debut album will sound instantly and inescapably familiar. the London-based quintet favor a genial affect, moderate tempos, and a blend of orchestral (violin, trumpet) and folksy (mandolin, accordion, harmonica, saw) instrumentation akin to acts such as the national and grizzly bear, while vocalist simon balthazar's broad, heartfelt crooning invites immediate comparisons to beirut's zach condon. fanfarlo are at their best when their lush but occasionally dreary instrumental efforts are focused around a strong, simple melody, as is frequently the case here - on pop-leaning cuts like "fire escape," and "luna". "luna" kind of has to phases to it - it begins as a drum-driven pop/rock song , before heading into a well-orchestrated instrumental swoon at the end. with good reason, they've drawn a lot of comparisons to arcade fire (not as ground-breaking, however).

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