Techy pop-rock
Again Icarus The Owl have created another impossible-not-to-like record; we're probably repeating ourselves now as it seems every time we put on something new by the Portland four piece we get caught up in the catchy melodies and complex mathy guitar arrangements. As we've said before, this lot have a serious knack for penning addictive tunes and those shiny pop-rock surfaces all have that quirky, techy twist to them, meaning that they widen their appeal from that of just pop-rock fans to say, Minus The Bear and Thrice fans.
Anyway enough of treading water, what does the new album hold for us? Opener The Hum of A Ceiling Light for starters; it sets up the feel of the record nicely - hits you with catchy vocal lines (including backing 'ooh's' which always work instantly to get you singing along) and the tricksy guitars sound deceptively simple, but then that's part of the charm of ITO, they make you feel comfortable even when they might be slogging their guts out behind the scenes. Nuclear Towns cranks up the pace a notch; awkward rhythms play alongside another excellent melody and easy on the ear vocal line - a winning combination.
Just when you think you've got a handle on things they mix things up, sometimes angling for (almost) straight up pop-rock (Peppertree) and other times for theatrical and anthemic (look no further than the excellent What We Had Was Never Love). Love Always, Leviathan is one of those albums that never fails to lift your mood; if you're in need of a boost, putting it on and jumping about like a nutter usually does the trick. It also provides plenty of impressive techy moments, with some cracking riffs offsetting those poppy melodies nicely so that it provides more than just a quick thrill; it will be one you'll come back to.