2006, Barsuk
The latest release from indie rock sensations The Long Winters, Putting the Days To Bed, is a rough, melodic sensation that begins with a veritable whirlwind of energy -- though it's almost hidden in the mellow first moments of "Pushover" that opens the album; from the start of the energetic solo stashed midway through the track, the album's rip-roaring qualities become readily apparent.
Putting the Days To Bed doesn't succumb to the demons of monotony -- rather, Roderick and crew bring a certain element to the album with the incorporation of diverse instrumentation and a variable pace; it's something one could reasonably come to expect, given the success The Long Winters have had in the past, and more specifically, the success of the 2005 EP, Ultimatum.
The Long Winters have, once again, demonstrated a high regard for songwriting that's not easily looked over. But it's something more than that: John Roderick feels experienced; it's a sort of quality that's rare, even in the alluring music industry. The Long Winters seem to know what the world is really like -- and it's more than just a surface glaze; it's been baked in, and it tastes good.