Walter Meego – Voyager – Almost Gold – 2008
It’s been a little while since I have reviewed a nice 80s dance party throwback kind of album here on DBF, but fear not, as long as they continue to be made, I will continue to listen to them! Anyway, today we have the latest release from Chicago electro-duo Walter Meego, and I have to say I am really digging this album. I saw these guys open for VHS or Beta last year at Subterranean and I thought they were pretty good, if not a little bit all over the place. The sound was so incredibly loud during their set it was a little hard to hear anything, but my gut reaction first impression was that they were a kind of electronic band that had less of a club feel and more of an upbeat pop-rock feel, and I think that largely holds true on this album as well.
Of course it doesn’t hurt to name your album after a classic Daft Punk track (not sure if that’s intentional or not), but this album starts off with the incredibly catchy “Forever” and just keeps the beats going from there. The guitars are not as prevalent throughout the album as I remember live, but they certainly are there on songs like “Forever”. I do seem to remember a lot of “Highway to the Dangerzone” type solos on their songs live, but it seems those have largely been roped in. I think that is probably my first impression of the record vs the live show was that I seem to remember the live show having some of these songs, but also being very melodic but very chaotic as well. The album is very well put together and constructed, and never feels chaotic.
The most apt comparison I think I could make in terms of sound would be to that of Hot Chip, but maybe with slightly more edge, but more pop sense also. They are very upbeat, danceable electronic tracks that get you moving with some soft, sweet, high vocals thrown on there. “Girls” is an extremely solid song that brings back in the guitar solos, as well as the vocal keyboard action. I think the album does a great job of bringing dance tracks with an edge (“Lost”, “Letting Go”) along with slow jams (“In My Dreams”) and upbeat high energy songs (“Forever”, “Girls”). I also really love the crazy synth solo action at the end of “Keyhole”, just greatness. The way that song builds from the nondescript piano intro into crazy noise solos at the end is awesome.
Anyway, this album is really good. It really does remind me a lot of Hot Chip’s work, and these guys have really put together a really solid album that has a similar feel and maybe is even slightly more interesting in parts than Hot Chip’s record (Hot Chip has always been much better live than on the albums anyway). I think it also carries that same ethic of trying to bring some electronic dance jams, but doing so with a sense of humor and a sense of fun, like Hot Chip have, and not being super serious or dark about electronic music. They also kind of bring a few more rock elements than most, kind of like MGMT does, to kind of keep it more interesting. I think in that sense it is very refreshing, because the album is meant to be fun, and it certainly works in that way. I would say if you are a big fan of Hot Chip you should certainly check these guys out.
