To think that I almost gave up on this album after one listen! Balthazar are from Belgium and released a rather jolly, jaunty, indie-punk-pop album back in 2010 called "Applause"; an album I spent a lot of time listening to and enjoying.
I was thus rather excited when this was released but, during the first playing, was convinced that this must be another band with the same name. However, I checked, and it was the very same band. The jolly, danceable, songs of their debut and had been replaced by what I initially thought was a rather dour, somewhat po-faced, collection of songs.
Over the next few weeks, when I had the iPod on random, the odd track would come on which would have me reaching to see who the band was because the track sounded great. Every time, I was surprised to see it was this lot.
So I listened again, and again, and again, and with each play the album opened up for me. In fact, to such an extent that their debut started to sound a little ... shallow.
I strongly urge you to give these tracks a couple of listens because this album is the very definition of a "grower" ... an album that gives you more and more with each successive playing. I now rather regret not including it in my top 10 albums of last year
You can download the album here
The Oldest Of Sisters
Sinking Ship
and this is simply stunning ....
The Man Who Owns The Place
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