The Peekers – Life in the Air – Citizen Dick Album Review

I can’t stop listening to The Peekers.  I’ve been going with the long-winded introductions of late (See the Say Hi review.  Jesus.  Where was my editor on that one?), but The Peekers require nothing more erudite than that simple endorsement.  I walk my dog, I throw on The Peekers.  I clean my house, I throw on The Peekers.  I play cards with Mrs. Citizen, I throw on The Peekers.  When I’m not listening to The Peekers, I’m singing their songs in my head; most of the tracks on their upcoming debut full-length Life in the Air, are of the popcorn stuck in your teeth variety.  Listen to “Close Your Eyes” as you read; I challenge you to stop humming the melody for the next three hours.

The Louisiana sextet are described by Park the Van as the label’s first “second-generation” band, drawing influence from Philadelphia stalwarts like Dr. Dog and The Teeth.  There is a distinct mid-sixties pop-rock vibe to the album which could be attributed to the invisible hand of those acts.  There’s also a lot of coincidence with recent darlings of the indie rock world, in that Life in the Air recalls last year’s She & Him album and, to a lesser degree (strangely), The Fleet Foxes.  The She & Him line is an easy one to draw, as the lilting vocals of  Brittney Maddox and Aubre Bauer recall those of whatever that actress’s name is (but in a far less twee fashion).  The Fleet Foxes bit is more oblique and, almost certainly, less concrete.  The Fleet Foxes record, in large part, was about the majesty of harmony; that’s also the case here.  The Peekers list four members m on vocals and there are many instances when they’re all singing at once, intertwining their co-ed voices with masterful precision, but producing warmth instead of cold perfection.  In this sense, they hit a bit of a Mamas and Papas key as well, although not quite as grandiose and/or pompous. (I’m not hating on Mama Cass or anything, but “California Dreaming” is a bit full of itself, isn’t it?)

The vocals are often the star of the show here, but the instrumentation is lush throughout as well.  A half churchy/half psychedelic organ anchors many tracks, laying down chords and fills that heighten that mid-sixties atmosphere.  The bouncy high notes in “Concrete Feet” and the circus-calliope-eqsue riff at the front end of “My First Surprise” would make Ray Manzarek beam with pride.  While guitars often take the backseat on the album, the towering intro, wailing choruses and squealing solo on “Meet You in Produce” are top-notch; it’s one of the best songs on the album, delving into slightly more nefarious territory with an evil, fuzzier organ sound and bluesier stomp than the other tracks.  It fades out just as the organ and guitar start to dance around each other a bit; I’m betting it’s dynamite live, assuming they stretch that conlcusion out into a lengthier freak-out.  There’s a ton to treat the ears on the record, including the year’s best glockenspiel solo on “Sinking In.”  Who doesn’t love some glockenspiel now and again?

With all that said, it’s the vocal work that sticks with you on the record.  The interplay on “Meet You in Produce” is jaw-dropping, with male and female vocals sparring and soaring over the organ and guitar.  There’s a lot of variety in the sound as well, from the shouted background vocals of “Close My Eyes” to the saccharine “ooh-ooh-ooh”s of “Sweet Singing Birds.”  The band sprung out of two romantic couples, adding another few members along the way, and that lovebirdishness is all over the record.  It’s impossible to listen to “Gather it All” without imagining an idyllic spring picnic, four smitten folks spreading a checkered tablecloth on crisp grass while singing tunes to keep themselves amused and occupied.  (editor’s note:  Brian sounds like a candyass here.  For the record, he’s excited about the Jesus Lizard at Pitchfork, so he’s not all rainbows and unicorns.)

Overall, it’s a remarkably consistent record, in that all of the songs work; while I’ve mentioned that “Meet You in Produce” is one of my faves, I could just as easily rave about the handclaps, tempo changes and angelic choruses of “Canoe Trip” or the swinging enthusiasm of “Close My Eyes” or the contemplative shimmer of “Favorite Love.”  It’s the reason that I can’t get the album off of my stereo.  There’s no filler here; it’s thirteen tracks without a wasted second.

Life in the Air hits stores on March 24, just in time for spring.  It’s a perfect record for the return of leaves and sunshine.  Pick up a copy and whistle and hum as you tend to your daffodils and such.

Pre-order Life in the Air at Insound.

“Close My Eyes” – The Peekers

“Gather it All” – The Peekers