Category:
Rock

Try if you like:
Beirut, Grandaddy, Magnetic Fields, Neutral Milk Hotel, Promise Ring

Secretly Canadian truly does have the secret to indie rock. I don't know how or where they tracked down Throw Me The Statue but all we can do now is drop our jaws in awe at the brilliance in their debut album, Moonbeams. 

Throw Me The Statue is the project of one Scott Reitherman and while we've heard wonderful indie pop before, Moonbeams is something we haven't heard for quite some time. There is a definite nod to the greatness of bands like The Promise Ring and Neutral Milk Hotel but Scott has taken into account that this is in fact 2008 and has updated the sound to incorporate more complicated influences like Wilco into the mix. The album starts out, unassuming, with the ever-building "Young Sensualists". I love how the drum machine oozes it's way into the mix, almost overwhelming Scott's vocals. "Your Girlfriend's Car" is an amazingly upbeat song that is perfect for your driving soundtrack. Scott brings it down a bit for "Conquering Kids". When he does this you can't help but feel that Magnetic Fields sort of sound. With "Yucatan Gold", TMTS takes on a bit more of an electro-pop persona. It does add another dimension to the project. Then a huge nod to The Promise Ring on "Take It Or Live It". They almost pull of the PR sound better than PR on Emergency. The slow things right down on "Written In Heart Signs, Faintly" and still seem totally relevant.

You have a feeling that Throw Me The Statue was meant to be a bit of a lo-fi project but with the lovely layering of sounds and the clever production it becomes so much more. Moonbeams is a wonderful way to start a new band's career.