Oh My Rockness

Handsome Furs are a new duo featuring Dan Boeckner of Wolf Parade (you know, the other guy who's not Spencer Krug of Swan Lake/Sunset Rubdown) and his fiancée, Alexei Perry. Their haunting debut record is being released by Sub Pop, a label that knows a good thing when they hear it.

Handsome Furs' songs are stripped-down, dark, and generally make the heart feel heavy. They employ melancholy keys, a lonely electric guitar, and emotionally detached percussion (it is made by a machine, after all).

The song "Handsome Furs Hate This City" sort of sums it all up. On the track, Boeckner mournfully sings about life being long and hard, all set to sparse instrumentation. Yet, near the song's finale, the synths and drums kick in, giving the up-tempo sense that life may be long and hard, but it's somewhat hopeful, too. Not happy. But hopeful.

Published 09/05/07