Words: Ryan Getz
Hablas is a rather fitting title for the debut full length the Bay Area’s Talkie. Spanish for “you speak,” the album is directed toward you, indicative of a band wanting to say a lot, and yes, definitely directed toward you.
I remember in early high school when I was having the tenses of Spanish verbs drilled into my head, and being quizzed on the difference between a formal “you,” an informal “you”, and a collective “you.” While this album is definitely directed toward a collective “you,” there is enough depth and that each listener could feel like they are getting served an experience unique to them. Heck, there’s a lot going on in album opener “Mountain” alone. Sweet folky harmonies, loud guitars, and then a noisy climax.
Hablas is a double album, which means that thinking of this as a cohesive whole is a daunting task. Yet, the mood doesn’t stray. Whether quiet, loud, or downright cacophonous, the album brings a sort of cheer with an angsty undertone to the table. Case in point, the straightforward, upbeat “Sunny” almost sounds ironic following the angry sounding climax of “Mountain.”
Another adjective that falls into one of this record’s many identities is “festive.” “SuenaTron” packs all the warmth of a dry-heat climate while simultaneously taking us into a psychedelic blues rock territory, perfect for any party. “Rollercoaster” builds on this momentum with a straightforward garage rock number that making me think “man, so many bands in the Columbus scene would KILL to play with a band like this.” Cliffs, Friendly Faux, The Worn Flints, Gelatinus Cube. I’m looking at you. If you don’t live in Ohio and those bands mean nothing to you, just look them up. Really not too difficult. Back to that “festive” vibe I was talking about earlier – I think this band really likes experimenting with jazzy beats as well. Just listen to “Keep.” Jazz to me has always meant to be something experienced at night, while out on the town, and in a spirit of celebration. I think these guys capture that idea too.
Hablas is certainly one of the most interesting records I’ve heard this year. Not in the sense that the music is unusual, but because Hablas is so much to take in.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj0CwiEUJYk[/youtube]Score: 4.4/5
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