Destroyer

Time Out says

Mon Jun 11 2012

Of the many genres musicians have resuscitated from the past, whether through direct revival or reimagined with a fresh perspective, soft rock is not one that has received much attention. For all its associations with cheesy electric-guitar solos and soft-focus videos, not to mention its propensity to turn up in elevators and nail salons, ’80s easy listening doesn’t especially invite exploration. Leave it to Dan Bejar, erstwhile New Pornographer and idiosyncratic Canadian singer-songwriter active under the name Destroyer since 1995, to put forth a dynamic, mature interpretation of the oft-maligned genre on Kaputt, a gorgeous album issued in January 2011.

Bejar’s record is smooth, spacious and, yes, saxophone-lined. But contentwise, it leaves behind the schlock associated with the adult-contemporary genre in favor of hyperliterate references to art and music—including Destroyer songs. Dismissed by some critics as irritatingly clever and obtuse, Bejar’s lyrics could send you running for an encyclopedia; indeed, endless blog posts and at least one website have been dedicated to untangling his cryptic compositions. (Even Bejar admitted to being unsure of their meaning in a Guardian interview.)

Still, don’t get stuck on Bejar’s free-association musings or the stigmatized genre to which he alludes: His Destroyer output has always been a vehicle for indulging his sometimes perplexing, ever-quirky personal vision (see his 2004 release, Your Blues, on which he replaced live musicians with digital instruments). All reservations will float away when you enter the dreamy, breezy landscapes of Kaputt, whose flirtation with bad taste is perhaps Bejar’s wittiest—and bravest—trick of all.—Marley Lynch

[Sandro Perri sets the mood with his innovative soundscapes on Monday, while dreamy art-popster Sophia Knapp kicks off Tuesday.]

Buy Kaputt on iTunes

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