Condition: New
Passion Pit - Gossamer
Label: Columbia – 88725 41651 1
Format: 2 × Vinyl, Album, LP, Gatefold
Has Inner Lrric Sleeves
New
Country: US
Released: 24 Jul 2012
Genre: Electronic, Pop, Rock
Style: Synth-pop, Indie Rock
Tracklist
A1 Take A Walk
Drums, Percussion – Chris Zane 4:24
A2 I'll Be Alright 4:22
A3 Carried Away 3:42
B1 Constant Conversations 3:56
B2 Mirrored Sea 4:06
B3 Cry Like A Ghost 4:23
C1 On My Way 3:47
C2 Hideaway 3:51
C3 Two Veils To Hide My Face 0:34
D1 Love Is Greed 4:20
D2 It's Not My Fault, I'm Happy 5:06
D3 Where We Belong 5:00
Companies etc
Distributed By – Sony Music Entertainment
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Columbia Records
Copyright (c) – Columbia Records
From a debut EP entitled Chunk Of Change that was given as a gift to frontman Michael Angelakos's girlfriend to the 2012 release of the Columbia major label debut (and second overall full-length after 2009's Manners) Gossamer, Passion Pit has come a long way. Add excellent Billboard 200 numbers (#4, 37,000) for the former-indie group, and things turn out just as `sunny' as Gossamer sounds. Overall, Gossamer is enjoyable, well produced, and well written. There are no overt misses, nor does anything ever grow too weighty. If there is any objection, it is probably the fact that Gossamer is too chipper!
Opening with "Take A Walk," a lush palette of synthetic sounds is employed. After the mysterious, non-percussive opening, a highly percussive four-on-the floor pattern guides "Take a Walk." Incorporating a guitar-driven sound, clear vocals by Angelakos, and the use of layered vocals, "Take A Walk" is an excellent way to start things off.
"I'll Be Alright" keeps things going strong, opening spastically and busily. "I'll Be Alright" employs a palette that includes strings, flute, cello and synthetic elements. The songwriting is top-notch, particularly on the refrain: "But you should go if you want to/yeah go if you want to/I'll be alright, be alright/Well I've made so many messes/and this love has grown so restless/your whole life's been nothing but this/I won't let you go loveless..." Chivalry apparently still resides somewhere, ladies and gentlemen.
"Carried Away," a single from Gossamer restores the four-on-the-floor groove of the opener and continues nothing but optimism (no pessimism allowed). "I get carried away/carried away from you/and I'm hoping and I'm praying/cause I'm sorry...sorry about the things that I said...," Angelakos sings. Add excellent use of supporting vocals alongside the fine production and "Carried Away" is another winner.
On "Constant Conversations," the sound can be described as indie-urban, if there is such a classification. Regardless of label, there is an inherent nod to R&B (influence) on this cut, particularly given the lushness of the sound. A solid record, "Constant Conversations" benefits from songwriting, vocal effects, and the overall sound.
"Mirrored Sea" opens rhythmically and possesses a slick, synth-driven sound. The chorus is bombastic, providing nice `separation' from the verses: "Oh you mirrored sea/your waves they're haunting me/they're all I see..." "Mirrored Sea" doesn't dare outshine "Constant Conversations," but is a consistent follow-up.
Keeping up with consistency, "Cry Like A Ghost" continues in a sunny quality, despite the title or the lyrics ("Sylvia, Right back where you came from/you're a pendulum/heartbroken and numb..." A highlight is the hip-hop and urban sensibilities of the cut. Specifically, the drum programming is superb here.
"On My Way" is a home run, featuring a `wall of sound' on the refrain. An assortment of instruments help in the brilliant execution of this cut, including sax, celeste, strings, trumpet, and trombone. Additionally, the harmonic progression, percussive patterns, backing vocals, and chivalrous nature of the cut contribute to it's brilliance.
"Hideaway" opens darker than the majority of cuts, thanks to the use of distortion. While listeners may be waiting for a minor key center, the key is soo established as major. "Hideaway" is another solid cut, though not the `cream of the crop.'
The brief :34 "Two Veils To Hide My Face" is as alluring as any full-length cut - a testament to its content. The vocal arrangement delivers a beautiful, bubbly timbre. The songwriting is great too, particularly given its brevity.
"Love Is Greed" is as lovely and lush as anything else, regardless of Angelakos's lyrics of the contrary: "Love, love, love/love is just greed/it's almost taken me/but now I can see...a selfish little need/you follow or you lead." Yeah, Passion Pit may be `bummed,' but even the `greed' of love seems optimistic here.
"It's Not My Fault, I'm Happy" is a catchy penultimate cut while "Where We Belong" closes with an array of synthesized lines, samples, and loops - typical Passion Pit fare. Add Angelakos affinity for falsetto and great songwriting and Gossamer is complete.
Overall Gossamer is a solid indie-pop album. There are lots of well written songs and captivating productions to listen to and take in. Perhaps Passion Pit takes a little to literally the `kill them with kindness' sentiment as even what should be drabber moments connote buoyancy given the bright productions. Regardless of the minor complaint (major if you prefer darker music or prefer a mix of dark/bright), Gossamer is rock solid - no pun intended.
Passion Pit - I'll Be Alright
Passion Pit - I'll Be Alright
live w/ vitaminwater + FADER
Passion Pit - Constant Conversations
So utterly beautiful. This whispers "modern day Gatsby party" to me.
Passion Pit - It's Not My Fault, I'm Happy
Passion Pit - Take A Walk
Passion Pit - Take a Walk
at the 16th Annual Webby Awards
Passion Pit - On My Way
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