Dublin-based eight piece mini orchestra The Crayon Set began performing together in 2008. Since being listed by 2 U I Bestow as one of Ireland's Top 50 Bands, they have been tipped for great things receiving praise from both media circles and growing fan base. With their debut full length album the band, not discouraged by our recent unseasonable snowfalls, seem determined to capture a glimpse of Summer sunshine and bring it to our speakers. This is an album packed with up-tempo infectious indie-pop from a group of musicians with a gift for creating memorable hooks. The fact that they have been known to perform with life size inflatable crayons as stage props only adds to their quirkiness and does not distract from the musicianship at work here, with the multi-talented group having double bass, violin, ukulele, flute and trumpet within their repertoire of instruments.
The project's first single 'I Wanted You' features layered, textured 60's inspired harmonies, combing both male and female vocals and a traditional sounding string melody. The rock influenced 'Breakdown' meanwhile is undeniably catchy with a call and response structure and playful trumpets. Lyrically, 'I Worry' appears to possess an underlined social commentary. The words “I worry about my occupation / I worry that I'm in the dark” will certainly resonate with listeners. Similarly, 'Small-town Kids' speaks about living a dissatisfying small town existence. Still, even the tracks with darker lyrical undertones are set against the back-drop of the band's signature sing-able melodies.
However, there are exceptions to the rule. 'Sickbays' is a acoustic ballad, which illustrates beautiful vocals and tear jerking string arrangement, while 'The Art of Letting Go' is a down-tempo melancholy tale of love lost. The country style slide guitar and gentle drum brushing only magnifies its sense of sadness. Both tracks do provide a much needed variation in the tone and pace of the album overall. To criticise an album for having too many God damn up-tempo, catchy hooks feels like unjust nit-picking, and as problems go, it's not a bad one to have. There is a sense of musical safeness that at times makes you wish they would colour outside the lines every now and again. Still, a solid debut from Ireland's new indie popsters.
Review by Karen Lawler
