Architecture in Helsinki Albums (4)
'We Died They Remixed'
Release Date 1/1/2006
Tracks 14
Label Bar None
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
On their debut album, Fingers Crossed, Architecture in Helsinki felt like they were just getting their bearings. This gave the album, and the Australian indie pop collective's mix of symphonic and electronic pop, a tentative, first-steps kind of charm. However, after a spending a year on the road tightening up their live act, and a little while longer in their wonderfully named Super Melody World studio recording their second album, In Case We Die, the group sounds much more assured. Everything on In Case We Die, from the intensely sweet melodies and vocals to the widescreen production, delivers the kind of playful pop majesty that Fingers Crossed's best moments hinted were within Architecture in Helsinki's grasp. "More assured" doesn't mean "less creative" though; this is a second album that really does expand on the sounds and ideas of the debut instead of just rehashing them. Indeed, Fingers Crossed's standout pocket symphony, "The Owls Go," feels like a template for In Case We Die's lush, playful, multifaceted sound. Most of the songs have lots of parts and changes to them, such as the opener, "Neverevereverdid," which begins with a spooky, operatic fanfare, then becomes delicately rambling folk-pop, and finally morphs into speedy, shouty Krautrock. Despite the ambition of songs like this and the suite-like "In Case We Die, Pts. 1-4," the album never feels ponderous; in fact, it's often even cuter than Fingers Crossed was. "It'5!" and "Cemetery" are adorable without being saccharine, and touches like the power-drill solo on "Frenchy, I'm Faking" and jungle sound effects on "Need to Shout" ensure that the album's more polished sound never feels slick or stuffy. Even In Case We Die's most straightforward moment, the single "Do the Whirlwind" -- which is so sleekly synthy that it could almost pass for straight-up dance-pop -- shares at least some of the quirky warmth of more homespun-sounding songs like "Tiny Paintings." An album with this much vibrant, irresistible, Technicolor music to its name could have only come from a place called Super Melody World. Not only is it a delight to hear Architecture in Helsinki come into their own on In Case We Die, but the fact that it comes so soon after their debut makes it all the sweeter. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Architecture in Helsinki's debut, Fingers Crossed, introduces their very appealing collage of electronic and indie pop. While there are a lot of groups out there mixing these styles, this Australian octet's music stands out, and not just because they use tap dancing as an instrument. Even though the band uses a wide array of sounds, ranging from bass recorder to a host of analog synths and samplers, Architecture in Helsinki have an admirably restrained hand with their sonic arsenal. Most of the album trades in charming pop miniatures like "Souvenirs," "Imaginary Ordinary," and "To and Fro," all of which are so quietly breezy that it would be easy to tune them out on the first few listens. That would be a mistake, however, as there is a lot to explore within the group's songs: "Scissor Paper Rock" sounds like a Burt Bacharach song from the future; "Spring 2008" has bouncy, almost Japanese-sounding percussion and a melody to match, along with a song title that's far enough away to still seem futuristic. Fingers Crossed's most striking song is "Owls Go," which makes the most of the band's playful minimalism and production wizardry. The track zips between lots of musical elements -- including samples, choral vocals, and children singing -- like a game of sonic Ping-Pong. "Kindling" is another standout that, with its big brassy choruses, is the closest the group comes to rocking out. "Like a Call" manages to be one of the album's quietest and catchiest songs at the same time, and "Vanishing" ends the album with one of its loveliest and most expansive songs. While it's not a perfect album -- occasionally the whispery vocals become cutesy instead of cute -- Fingers Crossed is a charming debut that should please anyone who likes creative indie pop. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide
