No Blues

Personnel: Michael Iles (trumpet); Craig Walker (trombone).
Audio Mixer: John Goodmanson.
Recording information: Bryn Derwen Studios, Bethesda; House Of Breaking Glass, Seattle.
Photographer: Michael Barrow.
Arranger: Los Campesinos!.
When Los Campesinos! burst onto the indie scene in the late 2000s, they were a rambunctious (more or less) half-male/half-female crew who madly ran through their songs like they were chasing rainbow-puking unicorns. The results, like the song "You! Me! Dancing!," or the album Hold on Now, Youngster..., were wild, unpredictable, and the best kind of indie pop. As time passed and more records hit the airwaves, the group's sound matured and members came and went. By the time of 2013's No Blues, they were down to one female member, and playing music that was more measured and thoughtful than ever, while still allowing for some passionate missives from lyricist/vocalist Gareth. Many of the songs have some old-school Campesinos! bounce and bite, like the ferocious and danceable "Avocado, Baby" or "What Death Leaves Behind," and the sweeping ballad "The Time Before the Last Time" has some cinematic appeal. In the end, it's a solid Los Campesinos! record that delivers plenty of what people have come to expect from the band as their career has progressed. ~ Tim Sendra