Figurines
Skeleton
Etch'n'Sketch/Inertia


'Skeleton', the second album from Danish indie group Figurines, is immediately noticeable as a more confident record than their 2003 debut, 'Shake A Mountain'. Unlike its tentative, almost shy, predecessor, 'Skeleton' is up-front and proud. Where singer Christian Hjelm's vocals once sounded uncertain, they're now strong and assured and the same goes for the album's production.

Not that they're not still trying to imitate their lo-fi American heroes, though. 'Skeleton' is pure US pop - it's the Pavement, Modest Mouse and Mercury Rev albums that never existed, all seen through the eyes of four Danes. But rather than coming across as an offensive and calculated attempt to milk success from a proven genre, Figurines sounds like a band who play what they want to play and do it with plenty of soul. That's the key word here; 'Skeletons' is an earnest and passionate album, with the quirky feel of their obvious influences and a ton of soul.

This is something that's apparent right throughout the album, from the opening track, Race You, played just with down-tempo piano and searing falsetto, to the album's rousing closer, Release Me On The Floor. Ghost Towns, the band's banjo-drenched attempt at Byrds-like country is a particular high point, as are singles I Remember and The Wonder.

Figurines have a brilliant knack for a hook and an impressive need for experimentation, too. Each of the tracks on the album have a distinct feel and the fractured English of Hjelm's lyrics lends the album an otherworldly, tender ambience.

In the end, the only criticism that can be directed towards 'Skeleton' is that it sounds like a whole lot of particularly great bands, though that can't be a bad thing.

Alistair Wallis