Search - Danforths :: Amphibian

It s almost impossible to find album reviews of The Danforths without hearing the phrase headphone band uttered in the same breath and justifiably so. The Minneapolis-via-Fargo sound junkie Chris Danforth creates Eno-esque sound textures with the quirky lyricism of the Magnetic Fields and the Modern Lovers. The mastermind behind the aptly-named three-piece. The Danforths (originally known as The Chris Danforths) follows up 2006 s sleeper hit Look Out for the Wolves with Amphibian, the band s first proper release for Modern Radio and third overall album. This newest effort shows the band taking its bright indie pop in new directions, with found sound samples lifted from Danforth s latest obsession: collecting discarded answering machine tapes. The creative process has also expanded as Amphibian finds band members Kemmer and Ogura-Fasen with expanded roles in arranging, writing and singing these songs. Amphibian follows the cycle of a relationship through love, betrayal and regret. It s an album crafted over several years, recording studios and instrumentation with additional vocals provided by friends. Amphibian is by far the bands most complete work. It isn't just a collection of songs but an adventure through the depths of despair and ultimately hope that come from the harsh Midwestern terrain. The fifteen songs collected on Amphibian showcase the band s range of talents, from the hook-laden duet Mexico to the eerie ambiance of the three tracks which lend the album its name. The polished wit and likeable quirk of Amphibian ensure The Danforths will get regular rotation this spring, whether you re a headphone junkie or just a fan of intelligent pop.