Disco de Los Campesinos!: “Romance Is Boring”

Talking pure numbers, Los Campesinos! have released three killer records within the span of two years, a feat which is only getting more and more uncommon. You can't fault indie rock classics like Built to Spill for taking their time between albums, especially when their long-term output has been so incredible, but there is something refreshing about a band that writes an album, goes on tour, and then goes straight back to the studio to give the fans more. Romance is Boring is the band's third major release (though technically it's considered their sophomore album), and the band is certainly only getting better with age. Romance is tight, confident, and energetic, and it feels like a perfect balance between the styles of their debut and the extended EP follow-up. It packs both their most aggressive songs to date as well as their slowest, darkest musings. "We've Got Your Back" is my favorite track off the record, and it encapsulates everything I love about the band. It's fun, energetic, and bitingly clever. If you're a fan of the band, there should be no doubt in your mind: get this album. If you want to give the band a try, I'd say this is probably the place to start for a new listener. Cheers and happy listening!

I don't mean to sound pretension when I say that this album is a work of art. It is beautiful in so many ways. This is the type of album someone can listen to and just have a big silly grin on their face because of how great the music is and how great it makes them feel. Romance is Boring is Los Campesinos! 2nd or 3rd album (depending on who you ask) and I feel it is completely safe to say it is there best.

From the very first song you can hear how much they have grown as a band and as individuals. The songs hold so much emotional resonance that it hurts to listen at times, but even at it's darkest I cannot help but feel uplifted. If not simply because of the beautiful music, but because despite the thesis of the album, that romance is boring, it's painfully obvious that the pain of love lost is exhilarating.

If you have never heard of Los Campesinos! this really is a great place to start. The music is more accesible than ever, it feels less cluttered and like every note is exactly where it needs to be. This album will undoubtably prove to be one of the best the year, and I cannot personally think of a better way to start the new decade.

Over the course of three albums and a short EP, Los Campesinos! have matured and found a more cohesive sound. Romance is Boring is an emotionally packed showcase of the poppy songwriting and clever lyrics of this young, high energy group from the UK. There remains a variety of sounds on this album, from the peppy guitars of the first single There Are Listed Buildings to the drawn out melancholy of the strings on The Sea Is a Good Place To Think of the Future.

The overall result is a wonderful indie rock album that is certain to rank among the best of the year on many lists.

Let me state upfront that I am a fan from the first hour. UK-based Los Campesinos! came pretty much out of nowhere in 2007 and created an immediate indie-music buzz which then was confirmed when the band released its brilliant debut album "Hold on Now, Youngster" in February of 2008, with instant classics like "Death to Los Campesinos" and "You Me Dancing". Only 9 months later the band released its sophomore album "We Were Beautiful, We Are Doomed", which showed a band in rapid growth. Now only 14 months later comes the highly anticipated third album, which I bought sound unheard, simply on the strength of the previous two albums.

"Romance Is Boring" (15 tracks; 49 min.) feels very different from either of the band's first two albums. Gone is the exuberance, delight and fun from the first album, and gone is the emotion from the second album. Instead, we get a bunch of songs, most of which remind me of emo-screamers, and on top of that lacking melody and memorable hooks, and emotion. A lot of the songs just feel just forced and cold. Yes, there are several exceptions: the title track is by far the best track on here. "The Sea Is a Good Place to Think of the Future" is another good song. And that's about it for me. I have to say I am just shocked at the mediocrity of this album, compared to the first two albums. If you expect anything like "Hold on Now", by all means do not buy this.

I had the good fortune of seeing Los Campesinos! at Coachella last April, when they were touring behind the "We Were Beautiful" album. They put on a tremendous 1 hr. set that got the tent they were playing in rocking from beginning to end, bringing a great mix of songs from the first 2 albums. Ah, the memories! If you wonder where you can hear these guys, check out WOXY (BAM! The Future of Rock and Roll), the internet-only station that brings the best indie-music in the country. Meanwhile, I cannot recommend "Romance Is Boring" in good consciousness.

Do not expect any resemblance between this and the first two. If you cared to notice, in the second album they switch tones a bit and they started to hit on the more angsty-emotional side. The songs were still upbeat and still had a similar feel, but there was a shift from the joy that was bursting from the seams in the first album. The third ablum is all about angsty emotions albeit they're done with much cleverness.

If you hold the first album as what defines Los Campasinos, then this album will murder your love for them. If you're just out to find a new indie rock n' roll album then this might interest you. The music itself is pretty good. Its a bit muddled and sometimes there's a bit too much garage rock sound coming from the guitars. I prefer the cleaner rifts from the first album (ex Drop It Doe Eyes).

I also felt that the singer/lyricists is bring too much of his (apparently his) personal life into the songs. Its one thing when the personal issues relate to the listener, but when they're totally off the wall odd-ball issues then no one, and i mean no one, cares about...well then they're just useless. That's what a good number of these songs are, useless.

In a stand alone sense this album is good. It has merit. When you compare this album to the first two it quickly becomes very awkward and you start to think its actually the work of some side-project that will never amount to anything.