Languis - The Four Walls (Plug Research, 2004)

Languis
The Four Walls
Plug Research
2004

Rating: 7 gazebos out of 10

I think it’s pretty obvious to everyone by now, even out-of-touch people from rural America, that the “80’s” are back and have been for a while now. Look at the fashion and culture of the youth, the resurgence of cocaine as the drug of choice amongst the hipster elite, and most telling, the music. And like any rehash of some long gone era, almost all of this music is terrible. That may be part of the reason that I enjoyed this album by Languis so much – it doesn’t suck at all, and that alone is a feat in the keyboard-drenched landscape of modern music.

I think what really makes this group and this album place head-and-shoulders above their peers is the sincerity of it all – you get the feeling that this is the music they want to make and truly enjoy, not that they’re just trying to hitch a ride on the trendy train in hopes to cash in. If I had to point to one particular band or sound that Languis most remind me of, it would be the melancholy of New Order. If you’re looking for a more current comparison, the instrumental tracks from Dntel’s “Life is full of Possibilities” might suffice. I’m having a hard time coming up with a genuine comparison for the vocals of “The Four Walls”, but either way I really enjoy them and they blend in well with the music and are there if you need them but not so oppressive that you can’t overlook them if you want to.

I highly recommend checking Languis out if you get a chance and you enjoy this type of music – listening to the album a couple of times will quickly leave you with the feeling of just how silly most of this 80’s revivalism really is.