Ben Gibbard’s statement from a few years back about a new record from The Postal Service being “unlikely, at least this decade” might have disappointed quite a few fans, but those same fans will find comfort in discovering Pins & Panzers, as the debut album from Plushgun that will certainly help fill the void. The symphonic collection of synthetic, low-fi electronic sounds coupled with engaging lyrics that made The Postal Service are characteristics that could just as well be applied to Plushgun.

While the Postal Service comparison is inevitable, as the Death Cab and Dntel merger set the bar for the genre in which Plushgun so obviously operates in, don’t be fooled into thinking that Plushgun’s line-up of frontman Dan Ingala, guitarist Taylor Armstrong and drummer Matt Bogdanow are constricted to being a mere copycat act. As will be illustrated when the opening track Dancing In A Minefield hits you in easy waves reminiscent of a bright summer day at the beach, these guys are the real deal.

The album switches in a seamless fashion between the philosophical lyrics with a hint of political statements of the opening track and the rebellious reflections of high-scool life that every former social outcast will appreciate and probably instantly declare as their anthem. Thematically in terms of music, the keywords are without a doubt fun and joy, but the reflective lyrics provide meaning and diversity. This is beautifully illustrated by the third track, Just Impolite, which is easily the peak of the album and one of the most instantly likable songs I’ve heard so far this year: ” Are you frightened by perfection? / Is this who you are, not who you want to be? / Are you frightened by neglection? / Am I who you want to see yourself to be? ”

Even though the peak is reached as early as the third track, there is no need to hit the stop button afterwards, because there are still seven memorable quality tracks to go before the record fades out with the lovely An Aria. The Dark In You closes the curtains and keeps the happy, bright light that characterizes the rest of the record away for almost four minutes, while Let Me Kiss You Now (And I’ll Fade Away) drops the electronic sounds and vocoded vocals in favour of a guitar, hand-clapping and more straight forward singing.

Pins & Panzers will probably go a long way in securing Plushgun a solid following among those with an above average interest in music, but with the quality of the tunes as well as the production of this album, there is nothing standing in the way of it reaching out to the masses. And if it does, it’s nothing but well deserved, because it is music with this type of passion and engagement that should be applauded.

/ Posted: Feb 24, 2009
/ Written by: Lars-Christian
/ Category: Album Reviews
/ Artist(s): Plushgun