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Damien JuradoOn My Way To Absence Secretly Canadian/Inertia I'd like to think that I'm not the sort of music fan who wants an artist to record an album that essentially sounds the same as their previous ones. However, it sure saddens the heart to hear an artist who was once upbeat and eccentric that now appears to have lost the joy of living. 'On My Way To Absence' is a reasonable record but long gone are the power of quirky pop songs like Space Age Mom and Letters And Drawings (from 'Water Ave S.' and 'Rehearsal for Departure' respectively). Apart from the obvious lack of golden pop songs which Jurado could create like no other, the lyrical themes have darkened considerably. Perhaps the influence of his long time friend David Bazan of Pedro The Lion has finally inspired him to pen lyrics on funerals, social problems and destruction. To be honest, much of the album plods along as a likeable but unremarkable form of semi acoustic alternative music. However, it is passionate moments like Icicle allow the brooding underbelly of emotion boils over allowing Jurado's voice to roar whilst stylishly accompanied by keyboard and saxophone. The gentle melancholic backing of strings and percussion forms a perfect backing for the aptly titled Night Out For The Downer. Unfortunately the overly simple and repetitive nature of songs like White Centre and Big Decision leaves a bland feel to parts of the album. Not that all is lost: Sucker reminds the listener of what interesting tales Jurado tells in his songs, underpinned by his unique songwriting style. 'On My Way To Absence' is good, albeit patchy; it's just disappointing that it doesn't live up to the strength of Jurado's back catalogue.  |
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