The PR notes that accompanied this album stated, “…Destroyer are not a thrash-metal band, and Your Blues will not make your eardrums bleed…” In fact, Destroyer is none other than The New Pornographers’ Dan Bejar and this album contains flashes of pop music genius with adventure aplenty.

YOUR BLUES is an epic musical journey (covering a wide spectrum of subject matter) that could easily be a theatrical production. Opener Notorious Lightning sets the scene with a song that starts with an almost talking pace vocal with meandering keyboard and guitar notes. The middle-eight signals a vibrant string interval that then takes up residence in the background until the quite startling conclusion. Then massed voices, more instruments and a repeated vocal refrain (“Someone’s got to fall before someone goes free!”) provide a dramatic concluding segment. While hoping that this is not reflecting acquiescence with the Iraq scenario, I think it’s an inspiring, fervent and exciting pop song.

Bejar has a high octave, young voice that at times sounds mocking and at times deeply sincere. On It’s Gonna Take An Airplane he sounds as though he’s having a private conversation in a haunting song with rather convoluted lyrics that leaves one wondering… An Actor’s Revenge welcomes back an orchestral backdrop with horns dominating the musical ambience. While it’s another epic tome, I’m still confused as to precisely what is being said here (“An actor will take revenge. I don’t know why and I don’t know when. There’ll be talk. There’ll be action. Boys demanding satisfaction from girls…”).

The impression given is that Bejar is living out his inner most thoughts and fantasies, and while the canvas is expansive, cinematic and highly attractive to listen to, the meaning of it is mostly lost on me. As a reviewer, I enjoy a challenge but I prefer those where I have a decent chance of winning (at least partially). And that’s the problem with this album. Musically, it’s more than interesting, but all good music must convey something that is comprehensible; however controversial or difficult to digest; and (eventually) connect with the listener. Perhaps Bejar is leaving his music open to any interpretation one cares to put to it?

3.5/5