Wild Pendulum

Sometimes I imagine The Trashcan (formerly Trash Can) Sinatras as a rejuvenated The Smiths, though a still more Northern one being from North Ayrshire in Scotland. Both possess a ready wit, a lovely guitar line, a light tone with often darker self- and societal mockery. As if Morrissey had created his masterpiece Viva Hate, grown up, became at least a peripheral part of polite society rather than going full Maladjusted, and returned to the fold for the 1990 release of Cake. And he’d learned to play piano or they hired a keyboardist (Gilbert O’Sullivan, Akiko Yano?).The Trashcan Sinatras do occasionally remind me of other groups as I listen to their body of work. They capture the spirit of many of their contemporaries, the milieu of the times. The Ocean Blue’s lush romanticism, the sarcasm of The Beautiful South, the fanciful orchestration of Blur, the high-quality longevity of The Church. But it’s not to their detriment—they stand alone quite nicely and each album has been a gem.Wild Pendulum is a mature album, a succinct one of a band not feeling a need to show off. Assured elegance. Beck's Modern Guilt, barely over 30 minutes, was a similar phenomenon. For me now, Wild Pendulum really hits its stride on the sixth track, “All Night,” the beginning of a series of songs that bring this imagined mature version of The Smiths even more strongly to mind, although starting an album with a song called “Let Me Inside (Or Let Me Out)” sets one immediately on this fanciful path with its talk of “bungled opportunities.”“All Night” seems a paean to the singer’s 1960s childhood years, a meld of “Do You Wanna Dance” and Herbie Alpert’s “The Lonely Bull” sampled (and performed with local trumpeters as the group tours)—the album’s less juvenile “Panic.”Shut out of the late-night-living “The Neighbours’ Place,” the singer decides the “pour himself out of bed,” finally pleading, perhaps ironically, “somebody answer the door.” Frank channels the withering curl of Morrissey's lip when he sings, "Maybe it's time that I moved / Or got to know you."“The Family Way,” which could be sung from the point of view of a weary woman approaching middle age or a similarly weary man tiring of his bloodline causing him mental unrest.“I’m Not The Fella,” is a kind of musical theater lullaby with MOR background singers, and perhaps nods to “Asleep,” “Will Never Marry,” “Pretty Girls Make Graves,” and “Golden Lights.”The fascinating “What’s Inside The Box,” “Waves (Sweep Away My Melancholy),” and “I See The Moon” carry the album through on its weary, restrainedly witty, oft-ethereal, and beautiful way.As I get to know the album better, I can only imagine its resonance will grow. Not only was it stirring being introduced to it by hearing pieces of it live recently, but as an album it holds together with fine production and quirky sounds appearing at odd moments to engage and enliven each listen. The songs don’t overstay their welcome and though the words and wit don’t come in the almost impenetrable flurry they once did, this is still the group that riveted then and now with “Obscurity Knocks.”For those who like to buy their albums in digital form, I’d urge you to make an exception here—the package is finely crafted in black traced with silver, with shimmering images and the thank you’s laid out so many sprinkled stars in the galaxy. There is a celestial theme to the artwork, the lyrics, the music. And celestial is a word I'd like to use more often in describing things. If Wild Pendulum is the capstone of their career (not that there’s any indication of it), it would be a fitting, luminous crown (it’s been two decades since I’ve written sentences like these).

Brilliant! Adore this latest recording from TCS. I was a bit let down with '09's "In The Music". First time that has happened to me with this band. I must say that this is a return to form even if the "form" is a little bit different. Some really fun and quirky sounds thrown in with plenty of strings. Nothing will ever touch the first 2 albums these guys released, but there are some moments here that aren't far away that perfection. Extremely pleased that after decades they can still charm like this. Long live TCS!

One of my all time favorite bands, Trashcan Sinatras defy even my high expectations on their latest. Wild Pendulum contains no filler, just one gorgeous guitar pop song after another. Like others have pointed out, the new album possesses somewhat more orchestration than earlier releases and that has only enhanced the listening experience. Clever humanistic lyrics, lovely vocal harmonies and shimmering musical flow remain the Sinatras staple and for that, I am grateful. They released "Best Days on Earth" last October before the album came out and I think that's a great track to listen to if you think these guys might be up your alley. Sad I missed them on their recent and rare swing through New England this spring. But I will be listening to this gem all summer. Thanks again guys!

Sensational. I was unfamiliar with Mike Mogis's work before this; clearly that's an omission to fix. The production pulsates while giving space to the Trashcans' rollicking swing (the rhythm section is deft throughout). You get classic TCS couplets ("The sign says 'You get what you ask for' / Give me sanctuary out on the dance floor" from "All Night"), an alternate-universe Bond theme ("Autumn"), a lullaby for the ages ("I See the Moon"), the word "doomed" sung as only a Scotsman can ("Ain't That Something"), and just songs of great humaneness ("The heart is designed to run out of time / There's no pause or rewind / The transmission's live" from "Best Days on Earth"). The fingers-tapping-on-steering-wheel album for summer.

When it comes to their second breath, Wild Pendulum doesn't quite reach the heights of Weightlifting but still offers an enjoyable record overall.

Trashcan Sinatras write another great record, and the CD quality is very nice.

Captivating!

It's the Trashcan Sinatras, what do you expect. Nothing short of perfection is what is always delivered. Another classic !

Great !

Good album

Great group, continue to be underrated. This is an album you should have in your collection.

Melodic and beautiful pop as always.

Excellent.

really enjoyed this cd.

excellent!!!

Excellent album from the Trashcan Sinatras. One of my favourite bands. I like all the albums all the way from their debut Cake until this one. I hope they continue to make great music and can't wait to hear their next album.

Superlative pop tunes in the inimitable Trashcan style. Worth the wait of 7 years!