How do The Concretes manage to be so likable and yet almost totally uninteresting? It's a wonder they're not a household name; they write the kind of lush jangle-pop that anyone can like but will probably never care too much about. Their songwriting is rarely spectacular, but even their most unremarkable work is buried beneath such delicate, engaging instrumentation and impeccable production that it's hard to notice. In light of this, one wouldn't have very high hopes for Layourbattleaxedown, a collection of B-sides and EPs spanning their relatively brief career.
And you'd be right not to. There are very few standout tracks here. The overall mediocrity of this disc (embodied in its Gap- and Starbucks-friendly cover art) is almost entirely compensated for by "Lady December," one of The Concretes' most beautiful songs. "The Warrior," a second loan from the Warm Night EP, is also notable, with both of these songs employing the fail-safe, 3/4-time ballad format perfected on their eponymous 2004 LP, a formula that is beginning to seem a little unfair.
Most of the remaining tracks are older, sparser, and never as fun or as heartbreaking as we've seen The Concretes capable of. There's even a cover of The Stones' "Miss You," transformed into a dark, slinky dirge, which, while not entirely worthless, abstractly underscores the insignificance of this release. If, like so many of us, you were mildly infatuated with The Concretes for a short time last year, it might be wise to opt for the Warm Night EP. Layourbattleaxedown serves best as a convenience for the Concretes completist, if there is such a thing.
1. Forces
2. Sugar
3. Lady December
4. The Warrior
5. Miss You
6. Oh Baby
7. Sand
8. Free Ride
9. Branches
10. Under Your Leaves
11. Seems Fine Shuffle
More about: The Concretes
