Hither Thither, Universal, ****
CD CHOICE: As debut albums go, this is fantastically assured and accomplished. As Irish debut albums go, it's in a league of its own. There are moments on Hither Thitherso musically resplendent, so lush and layered, that you'll be put in mind of a Kid A,a Dark Side of the Moonor a Gideon Gaye. Given O Emperor's neophyte status, there's a remarkable grasp of instrumentation and arrangement on show, along with the sort of eclectically shimmering sound that, historically, Irish bands have always made a hames of.
From Waterford, O Emperor have, despite a major label deal, crept up quietly over the last while. While a previous EP promised much, Hither Thithersurpasses all expectations. From the snarly menace of the opener, Don Quixote, to the blissed-out Spaceman 3-like closer, Fat Lady Sings, O Emperor have taken the scenic route and found some very incredible new vistas.
The sheer range is impressive in itself: Po has an insistent and jaunty pop guitar melody line that wouldn't be that much out of place in Laurel Canyon in decades past. By utter contrast, Heisenbergis a woozily paced spectral affair. At different times you're listening to West Coast FM sounds/post-rock wig outs/alt. indie Americana. And any band that can sonically reference both Jackson Browne and Syd Barrett in the space of a few minutes are well worth further investigation.
Highlights here include Don't Mind Me(which is screaming out for a Sean O'Hagan remix), the beautiful Sedaliaand the rolling melodies of Catch22 and December. Throughout, O Emperor use a judicious amount of instrumentation and, given the width and depth of their sound, manage to steady themselves as they scale some pretty vertiginous musical heights.
As intriguing as it is absorbing, this is very splendid stuff. See myspace.com/ oemperorofficial
Download tracks:Po, Don't Mind Me, Catch 22, Sedalia
- O Emperor play Dublin's Sugar Club on November 6th
