Album Review: The Weather Station - Ignorance

 The Weather Station

Ignorance

****and1/2 out of *****

The newest album from The Weather Station is a career turning point as Tamara Lindeman's songs (and a host of musicians) contribute to something larger than individual parts over and over again throughout the excellent Ignorance.  

Lindeman has crafted lush soundscapes around her breathy lyrics as a mix of sweetness and fear commingle in these dance ready, indie pop tracks. Opener "Robber" slowly builds a tension throughout with killer drums and bass (a constant delight throughout the record) pushing the tune, as angular saxophones and twinkling keys take their turn painting the off kilter atmosphere. Those dance ready drums and catchy bass beat keep moving forward for the smooth "Atlantic" as Lindeman discusses the news, before the stirring strings join the indie dance party on "Tried To Tell You".  Everything from Wurlitzers, to cellos, to bass clarinets, to added percussion plays a role, layering the sound perfectly in rising fashion. 

The immediate parallel is the best that The War On Drugs have delivered, a throwback to a time when this adventurous mainstream sounding pop could be utterly effective. Adam Granduciel shoots for the mid 80's Bruce Hornsby AM radio sound, while Lindeman is a bit more nebulous here. She touches on 70's singer songwriters and early 2000's folk rock, while putting a day-glow spin on things. "Wear" just may the best of the strong offerings as it swells with strings, passion and that constant bumping bass/drums. 

"Loss" finds Lindeman dealing directly with pain, however deception, fear, and uncertainty is at every lyrical turn, but always offset by the indie pop blissful music that constantly brightens the darker lyrics. Lindeman's soft singing also belies the hurt underneath or over exposed; this juxtaposition adds a deeper resonance to the tracks.   

The only down side is that the album drops into this style and only leaves for the less successful, dramatic piano ballad "Trust", but when the artists are this locked in why change it up?  Things kick back into motion for the motoring "Heart" and the sweepingly cinematic closer "Subdivisions".    

When it wraps, Ignorance delivers ten songs in brilliant indie pop fashion. Propelled by a dynamite rhythmic pulse, Lindeman and company have scored a winning record that moves above their folksy past and beyond expectations. 

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