Rating: NNN
When a band is classified as post-rock and alt-country, you know have something interesting on your hands. The Kim Philbys, named after the British-Soviet double agent, have managed to put down fuzzy, complex rock numbers and light, country-ish tracks on the same disc. It’s hard to understand what exactly is going on here, especially because there’s such a divide between great songs and throwaways.
Pretend We’re Dead is a passionate, lap-steel-filled track that might be found on a Weakerthans record, while Painting Song is a rollicking pop number in the vein of Troubled Hubble. Throw in the super-slow closer, Carry Me Home, and you’ll be left wondering how you can like something so confusing.