Benjamin Gibbard- Former Lives
Some people just hog all the talent. Having embarked on his gazillionth incarnation, Benjamin Gibbard is giving even Madonna a run for her money when it comes to reinvention. It's perhaps a less drastic move than his switch from Death Cab For Cutie to The Postal Service- but we reckon he'd have done well cutting his losses with the latter now Owl City have waded in and formed an admirably brazen case of sonic plagiarism!
…but let's leave all that stuff in the past and focus on what we're dealing with right here before we incite an electronica war. 'Former Lives' is, after fifteen years of fame, Ben Gibbard's first solo effort. We say 'effort', but we know that musically, this masterful artist will have crafted this with some level of ease. As one might expect, the twelve tracks on the record combine powerful melody, oozing charisma and a vocal performance splattered with every Gibbard hallmark. While instrumentally he takes on a stronger 'indie rock' vibe, he was clear to state that this is a 'side story, not a new chapter;. A collection of experience from the last eight years, we join him as we revisit 'three relationships, living in two different cities, drinking then not drinking'.
As one might imagine, this makes for a vast lyrical portrait, but one that's well worth admiring. There's an overwhelming sense of story that weaves through each song, dipping and soaring with each 'life' told- making for a clear idea of the journeys taken. Tracks like 'Teardrop Windows' invite a strong flavour of Americana into its melancholy melody; before sentimental tracks like 'Lily' sound beautiful in simplistic acoustic approach and the love it recalls. Other tunes like 'Duncan, Where Have You Gone?' slip into a grander sound that almost sounds like a piano-led 'Whiter Shade Of Pale', that invites a slower moment of reflection, but then the pace picks up dramatically for 'A Hard One To Know'. It seems a shame to gallop through this collective of tales, so make sure you can find a time to truly savour this record.