In the late ‘90s, I was really into the “post-rock” sound, especially Canadian bands like Godspeed!YouBlackEmperor and Do Make Say Think, but also American bands like LaBradford. It had been a while since I listened to that kind of music since I discovered Decoder Ring, an Australian band that critics sometimes compared to post-rock, especially Mogwai I think. However, “Somersault” is a whole other beast – yes, it sounds like a melancholy soundtrack to something (in this case I guess it is a real soundtrack!) and yes the band enjoys its crescendos and decrescendos, but the album also has a certain immediate catchiness and emotive appeal that is hard to ignore.
The album begins with the sweet bells and xylophones of “Heidi’s Theme” that soon add echoed guitar notes and violins to the mix before continuing on its melodic path. A perfect introduction to the band and album in my honest opinion. However, it’s on the second track, the title track, “Somersault”, that we are introduced to Lenka’s breathtaking vocals. Her soft voice puts forth these perfectly spaced measures as she recites the lyrics. I haven’t seen the movie but from the few screenshots and the trailer I have seen, it would seem that Lenka’s voice is an appropriate representation for the movie. Beyond that though, it’s hard not to get sucked into falling in love with her voice. As the track progresses, a really catchy chorus appears and builds with violins and you soon find the song has become, quite simply, unforgettable.
On “Snowflake” we start to hear smatterings of electronica and found sounds, that help beef up the warmth of the deep organ chords. Once again, violin progressions with glockenspiel melody define the pace and melody of the track. “Rough Sex”, a strange title for the slow tempo stroll here, takes us into true post-rock territory, quite reminiscent of early Tortoise. Twin pianos announce the opening of “Carillion”, and once again a diverse instrumentation leads the piece thru mountains and valleys of sound and emotion. “Music Box” brings Lenka back to sing a sweet lullaby over rickety percussion and some solid but simple rhythm guitar playing. By this point you get an idea of Decoder Ring’s formula, and you see how it works to put you at rest, and the rest of the album whizzes buy like the outside world during a train ride.
… Or so you expect it to. Until you arrive at track 10, “Alpine Way”, which smacks of early Air space lounge grooviness. You forget its an instrumental, as your soul sings along. First time I heard this song, I almost jumped right out of my chair – the arrangement of the tune is just spot on, with twists & turns and a lot of surprises that keep you guessing, and grooving. Then the album begins winding down, with more and more interesting clips of found sound and stuff from the movie I guess. Overall, I’m really glad I bought this album. But winter’s over, summer’s around the corner, and we’re in Spring – so I’m going to file this under easy listening for a lazy Saturday afternoon…
