Real Estate: Days - Album Review

Real Estate
Days
Rating: Woof Daddy

Real Estate's debut album in 2009 was a charming mix of low-fi, sparkling pop, which sounded like it was recorded under a freeway overpass. The lack of sonic clarity wasn't enough to derail the lovely songwriting, sweet melodies, and general air of low-key charm. The success of the album and subsequent tours brought them much needed attention which was enough to make Domino Records pony up more cash for them to record the follow up properly. Days, while lacking the ramshackle nature that Real Estate provided, is another fantastic record from this band; the increase in sonics and warmth makes a monstrous difference, allowing every note to ring clearly. Their sound has not changed much on the two years since, but has become more focused. There is hardly a misstep on this record; each song sounding like you have been listening to it for years. The familiar touchstones of early R.E.M., the Byrds, the Smiths, and Felt haunt this record, illuminating their sound rather that being a direct copy. Days is a great record for a long drive through the country, with the sweep and intimate scope of the songs providing the perfect accompaniment to a journey. There is slight, melancholic feel to the record, like the narrators are all on a journey through their pasts, ruminating over their successes and failures. It makes what could have been merely a pleasant record and elevates it to something classic and touching.

Lead track "Easy" perfectly encapsulates the mood of the record. Lovely, shimmering guitars underscore the lyrical tone of wistful remembrance of an idealistic past that has since faded:

"Around the fields we grew
With love for everyone
Those dreams we saw with eyes of hope
Until that dream was done."

Real Estate - Easy by FBi Radio

The gorgeously haunting guitars of standout track "Green Aisles" also serve to highlight the lonely lyrics about a man traveling to get home to his partner:

"All those wasted miles
All those aimless drives
Through green aisles
Our careless life style
It was not so unwise."

Real Estate - Green Aisles by DominoRecordCo

Not that the entire album is sad and melancholy. There are plenty of driving, guitar led tracks like the jaunty "It's Real" and its catchy chorus of woahs.



"Wonder Years" sounds like a long lost outtake from Reckoning.



And the lovely closing track "All the Same" utilises its seven minute run perfectly, moving from a jangly, pop opening to the lengthy coda of intertwining guitars.



But what continually draws me to the album are the more languid, searching tracks. Not much is said lyrically in any of these songs, made up more of small moments and seeming trivialities, but sometimes you don't have to say much to get the point across. The music feels minimal, but is surprisingly detailed and complex. From the longing of "Municipality" where he laments "How can I be free?/ When all I want to be/ Is by your side;" to delicate country-ish "Out Of Tune;" and the Felt-like echoes of "Three Blocks;" the collective mood and atmosphere make their weight palpable. Even the instrumental track "Kinder Blumen" has a journey-like story in its melody.

Days feels like a classic record from the opening notes. I keep waiting for the record to lose its grip on me, and with each listen it takes firmer hold. It is always a great surprise to have little to no expectations for an album and for it to blow me away. Truly the sleeper album of the year, Days is a wonderful addition to any one's music collection.

Rating Guide:

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and peaks one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.