Review: We Were Promised Jetpacks - Unraveling
By Eli Schoop, Contributor
[FatCat; 2014]
Rating: 5.5/10
Key Tracks: “Peace of Mind,” “Peace Sign"
Over the past decade, many bands in the world of indie rock have claimed the throne of most heralded band of the now and present-day. Spoon, Interpol, The National--all of these melancholy tinged, no nonsense outfits provided many a solid soundtrack over the years. Yet We Were Promised Jetpacks has never had the same press or prestige as the aforementioned despite boasting a very respectable discography in its own right.
Unraveling, however, does nothing to help the argument that the Scottish four-piece deserves to be in the type of company. The best aspect of the album is its cover art, shimmering and transfixing, a fine example of how to draw attention to music.
This belies the fact that the music itself isn't too bad. We Were Promised Jetpacks have always been very modest, refined and a bit calculated. This manifests in various ways throughout the LP, echoing in the majestically produced instruments of “Peace Sign," always added and dropped in the song with ease and a touch of quality.
Similarly, “Night Terror" hears a melody crisp and methodical, peeled back invigoratingly to reveal more satisfying layers until the song ends. This unpacking and crafting of guitar licks and drum lines extends all over Unraveling, making the repetition concise and relaxing.
Following “Night Terror” is “Disconnecting," a slower jam that breaks apart the formula found throughout the album. Caressed, metronomic drums and Adam Thompson's soft tenor billow amongst the pointed guitar, which creates a claustrophobic ambiance that's harrowing as it is enveloping. A highlight, it serves as a reminder to why We Were Promised Jetpacks have been critical darlings and an underdog favorite.
Although a bevy of these tracks are worth their weight of gold and a great introduction to how We Were Promised Jetpacks operate, there's some certified stinkers in this collection that dull the shiny ones. “Bright Minds” is almost pointless in its banality, barely scratching the smooth surface offered by how angled sounds work and mesh here. “Moral Compass," though not as cracked as the former, marks its clumsy verses and unbearably saccharine lyrics into a mediocre climax--whilst listenable, it’s very tepid in its predictability.
That all leads to “Peace of Mind,” inspiring in its bravado. It's the type of song that can make you believe in rock music as salve for the soul, the kind of anthem that grows old and has a generation singing its praises. Flowing and unrestrained, it's the realization of We Were Promised Jetpacks' potential, ever since they first formed in Glasgow.
Suffice to say, Unraveling deserves appreciation for its mammoth tones and textures. The band hones in on a solemn yet crusading atmosphere that works despite its malaise overtones. If it committed to a more ambitious endeavor, the progression from the band would have deemed a successful one. But never too impressive overall, the record merely inspires a whimper and not a bang.
