Orchestral Pop Noir Romantique – the title of a Dears EP from 2001 – pretty much sums up the indie-cabaret-shot-through-with-nu-wave-punk-pop that this arty crew from Montreal serve up. Their first album, the illusion-shattering End Of A Hollywood Bedtime Story, went down a blast in Canada. Now The Dears seem set to storm Europe with their second offering, the literary and apocalyptic No Cities Left, a cinematic symphony about the death of one world and the birth of another.
With his deep, dark, brooding voice and songs – unashamedly influenced by The Smiths and early Bowie – Murray A. Lightburn, the aptly named lead vocalist, cups a flame of hope in a storm of operatic chaos. This is passionate music with a strong French feel, and if Charles Baudelaire were around today he’d be a fan.
While the zombie-esque chanting of ‘Postcard From Purgatory’ is representative of this album’s vision (“We have not wasted/Wasted all/All of our lives/Empty heads/Empty mouths/Empty hearts/Empty souls”), the bleak thematic landscape is redeemed by a wonderful range of instruments played by true masters. Large brass and string sections accompany NordElectro organ, clavinet, piano, electric and acoustic guitar, Fender Rhodes and synthesisers. Group vocals lift the heart heavenwards and the occasional ray of light falls, as in the closing refrain of the beautiful ‘Who Are You, Defenders Of The Universe?’ where Lightburn warbles reassuringly about the mutual help we can give each other.
If you’re a fan of Morrissey, Joy Division or Tindersticks, check this album out.