Dream Central Station

First of all, hats off to Dream Central Station for covering an obvious inspiration (Brian Jonestown Massacre’s “Feel So Good”) on their self-titled debut record. This is an ingenious way to get lethargic critics to find something slightly more elaborate to write about than that particular influence. Thankfully this record provides plenty more to talk about.
Here members Hallberg Hallbergsson (of Jakobínarína fame and a member of Singapore Sling’s live outfit) and Elsa María Blöndal (Go-Go Darkness) use simple chord sequences and simpler vocal melodies—which are almost entirely delivered in unison by the duo—to explore a variety of styles. These range from the scuzzy to the intimate but all fit within the realms of what could broadly, and lazily, be defined as shoegaze.
The hypnotic and hazy “Feel” is where DCS most resemble their brethren from Singapore Sling. The song, which features an unnerving semi-tonal melody and a driving repetitive drumbeat, is as experimental as this album gets. At the other end of the spectrum are the indie-folk inspired “There’s No Place For You (In My Heart)” and “Now Or Never” which both opt for acoustic guitars to provide the vehicles for beautifully understated vocal deliveries.
DCS are at their best when they manage to marry those two poles, such as in opener “All On My Own.” The fact that it feels valid despite it’s subject matter being jeopardised by the unison vocal is testament to the duo’s knack for writing brilliant little melodies.
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