CD: Handsome Furs

By Jay Grant

Posted on Feb. 12, 2009, at 12:00 a.m.

Dan Broeckner, frontman and songwriter for Canadian indie rock band Handsome Furs, is a quintessential rocker. He sings with a distinctively punk wail, and he has the look of a man who has seen too many hard drugs and not enough food. It makes sense then that while many indie stars are known for theatrics they cleverly label as “experimentation,” Broeckner would rather stick a grabbing hook or killer riff into his music. That’s what made his best songs with Wolf Parade so great.

With his Handsome Furs side-project, Broeckner finds himself backed only by a drum machine and a synth, both run by his wife Alexei Perry. In this small set-up, he seems limited in his room to really rock. More often than not, though, Broeckner’s intensity prevails and he gives us a truly awesome song.

On most of “Face Control,” Broeckner uses the guitar less to show off his own skills and more as an atmospheric tool, playing with a reverb-laden, fuzzed-out sound that he makes his strained shouts over. Perry’s synth rhythms and electronic beats add an inherently ’80s vibe that seems fitting for the metallic, Jesus & Mary Chain-esque guitar lines. But Handsome Furs stay away from just making noise. Broeckner doesn’t mind pop structure, focusing on making his songs catchy and accessible rather than jarring or nonsensical.

Lead single “I’m Confused” shows Handsome Furs at their best with a simple verse-chorus-verse build and the kind of lyrics you can yell along with as you drive to class or work – because honestly, who isn’t feeling a little confused right now? Other top tracks share this involving effect. The repetitive, methodical “Evangeline” chugs onward, ever-teasing of a trite, overly dramatic climax. Instead it rides out its own wave with a head bobbing beat and a chorus of “La da da da” at the song’s end. On closer “Radio Kalinigrad,” Broeckner sings over what may be the best instrumentation on the album with a desperation that instantly grabs the listener. Up to this point “Face Control” only shows either Broeckner’s youthful punk energy or his rock star bravado, but the finale makes it clear even burnt out rockers can feel.

Though those tracks are of some merit, “Face Control” certainly isn’t flawless. For some reason, Broeckner made the misguided decision to include an indie rock cliche: the minute-long interlude. As is often the case, the two short examples on “Face Control” feel more like unfinished ideas rather than anything that actually adds to the album.

“Officer of Hearts” is probably the weakest track for its almost complete lack of guitar. The result is nearly six minutes of boredom. That being said, when Broeckner is on, he is really on.

“Face Control” is full of the kind of jams anybody can pick up and get into, yet it rewards repeated listens. It now seems certain Handsome Furs are not simply an act to stand under Wolf Parade’s shadow but a legitimate band that’s worth our time.

Grade: B-

Jay Grant is music director at WMEB.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 12th, 2009, 12:00 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.