Timber Timbre have been a favorite of mine ever since I heard their last LP Creep On Creepin' On. That LP certainly lived up to its title, with music that was part nostalgia, part mad ravings from a very emotionally distraught individual. It was captivating to say the least, and when I heard they were following it up with an album called Hot Dreams, I was stoked.
Luckily, Hot Dreams is more than just a snappy title, it also happens to be a great addition to the Timber Timbre cannon, with one song after another finding a new way to be dark, brooding and surprisingly, intoxicating. For example, the title track, five minutes of smooth, kind of schmaltzy balladry that is consumed by a swirl of saxophones towards the end. This track is not simply one of the finest on this LP, but is in fact sure to be a highlight of this entire year.
Other tracks take a less seductive approach, and opt instead to stir up emotions more familiar to Timber Timbre albums, paranoia and a general vibe that something sinister is lurking nearby. Some may find this sound to be a little cheesy, or Halloween-y, but I actually like the mix of 60s style pop with more abstract and disturbing imagery.
Simply put, this album feels like a bunch of greasers from the 50s felt like writing a bunch of moody, yet gorgeous tracks that aren't afraid to indulge in the darker side of the emotional spectrum. Songs such as "Simple Men" and the opener "Beat the Drum Slowly", creep along at a steady pace, and pull me in for the entirety of the track. Other tracks like the oddly titled "Curtains!?" or the interlude "Resurrection Drive Part II" go for a more straightforward rock approach, but still manage to weave in saxophones and a general spookiness to their instrumentation.
But perhaps the most beautiful moment on the entire album (save for the title track), comes in the form of "Grand Canyon", a track that feels almost country influenced. Though more of a latter era Johnny Cash country, when he was more into covering industrial hits and singing about the wrath of God. Anyway, this track just moves so wonderfully from one stellar instrumental moment to another, and is a true highlight from an album that is already full of them.
Overall, Timber Timbre have come through with a really solid LP. If I had one major complaint, it might be that I wish that the band went a little more out of their comfort zone, since this album is really just a fine tuning o the sounds they were working with on their last LP, but hey, I'm just happy they make the kind of music they do.
9.0/10
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