Rating: NNNN
It seems like much longer than a couple of years since Dinosaur Bones released their debut LP, My Divider. A lot has happened since 2011: METZ blew up DD/MM/YYYY transformed into Absolutely Free Broken Social Scene went on hiatus, then got back together again. So where does an indie rock quintet like Dinosaur Bones fit into Toronto’s new post-punk landscape?
Well, they don’t. But that’s great. On their sophomore album, the Toronto indie rockers pave their own sonic path for the first time. Shaky Dream, recorded in Texas with John Congleton (who’s worked with the Walkmen and St. Vincent), finds the band in a more mature, moodier place – a sound that works well with their guitar-driven melodies, rhythmic drone and Ben Fox’s dreamy crooning.
Comparisons to the Darcys are sure to arise, but unlike those other dark rockers, Dinosaur Bones don’t take themselves too seriously. For every indulgent art-rock breakdown, there’s a simple pop ditty to balance it.
Top track: End Of Life Crisis
