In a campaign to prove that there's more to Canada than most U.S. citizens know, Faunts have made the executive decision to hail from Edmonton, a forgotten place in indie rock's obsession with northern scenes. The songs on Faunts' debut, High Expectations/Low Results, beg the question: When does a song go over the edge from affecting to manipulative? Emotionally resonant to sappy? Listening to my favorite song of theirs, "Will You Tell Me Then," I know that some might find its Sigur Rós-playing-a-pop-song crescendo a bit too O.C., but when it hits the climax I find it hard not to fall in love with the song all over again. That general idea sums up my feeling toward the album as a whole; a bit derivative, a bit unadventurous, but when it delivers, I'm thoroughly satisfied with it. Perhaps due to their northern roots, High Expectations/Low Results contains a bit of an icy sheen, but it still shows a fairly good range within a dream-pop/shoegazer style; sometimes epic, sometimes drifting, always soothing, and sometimes great. Overall, Faunts don't care much for subtlety; when the drums kick in, they want you to feel it. However, it works, especially on one album highlight, "Twenty-Three." The only major misstep is the breezy "Gone With The Day," which is compelling for about eight minutes — it's just that it goes on for thirteen. Fortunately, for the most part, Faunts prove themselves to be extremely adept at providing more affecting than normal dreamy pop-rock songs.
1. High Expectations
2. Instantly Loved
3. Memories of Places We've Never Been
4. Place I've Found
5. Parler De La Pluie Et Du Beau Temps
6. Will You Tell Me Then
7. Twenty-Three
8. Gone With The Day
9. Low Results
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