Halasan Bazar - Space Junk
(Crash Symbols 2013)
Earthy...with the musty scent of the early seventies"
Despite what its extraterrestrial title might imply, the sound of Halasan Bazar's new LP is quite grounded; earthy folk-rock with the musty scent of the early seventies. Space Junk is the Danish quintet's 2nd full-length effort, yet the band doesn't fall prey to the proverbial "sophomore slump" that so plagues upstart indie bands these days. In fact, it's a major step forward for Halasan Bazar. Space Junk is a more polished venture than last year's How To Be Ever Happy, with tighter production and more focused songs. It's also a solidly cohesive effort, substantial songcraft void of pretension or overuse of effects.
Side A to Space Junk is its twangier, more up-tempo portion, overloaded with the trebly trill of electric leads and the glistening of tambourines, the country-fried twang of the Allman Brothers joining forces with the messy energy of the Violent Femmes. "Live Without Love", with its undulating, chunky bassline and three-part harmonies make for what is easily the side's most replayable groove. The songs on Side B are more delicate, yet also more powerful in scope, two cuts reaching the six-minute mark. Here, the chant-like vocals and scattered twinkles of guitar make for a luminescent coda to the album. Listen to the album below.
