Review Summary: Vieux Loup is a testament to enjoying the moments between all of life's excitement.
Coming off a three-to-five year hiatus (depending on the sources you refer to),
Vieux Loup signals the return of Canadian indie-folk group The Acorn, and surfaces a collection of songs created during the band's time off. While they've been somewhat of a revolving door for members, the axis at the center has been Rolf Klausener, the frontman and principal songwriter.
Vieux Loup, translated as "Old Wolf" for all you non-french speaking readers, could be a collection of songs for a Sunday, while you're staring out at a lake on a reclining lawn chair. Maybe you're surrounded by the aftermath of a late night cabin party where everyone incidentally got naked in the hot tub. Woops. Did you take your swim wear off first? You daredevil, you.
Either way, it's evident from the get-go that The Acorn is focusing on what's happening between the notes as much as what notes they're playing. The rhythms here aren't complex. They sit on the line between expressing minimalism and intention, through drawn out guitar notes and chords, and dynamically varying trails of feedback and synthesizers. The percussion is no more and no less than what it should be, and shows a resounding degree of purpose & restraint. This is perfectly executed during "In Silence" around the 2:50 mark, but is apparent throughout the album's modest 34 minute run-time.
"Influence" is an album highlight, among others. While Klausener is delivering a nice vocal groove, the bass line keeps one's head nodding in agreement, with the mind taking an introspective plunge to the subtle guitar riff and backing harmonies. However, it's about as up-beat as the album gets, and doesn't particularly act as a big picture view of the overall aesthetic. "Rapids" could serve to this purpose, but you may be inclined to disagree as the album makes a shift in momentum a good two thirds in; and given
Vieux Loup only holds eight tracks, that shift is significant. The last three tracks are just as enjoyable, but in a more nostalgic sense. In "Dominion", Klausener ever-so-delicately reminds the listener:
"Remember to draw the blinds
Grant the light of day's dominion
Over you and I."
It similarly feels like a warning, to take note of one's surroundings before the opportunity passes. Musically, the song follows suit with minor arrangements abound.
All in all,
Vieux Loup is a testament to enjoying the moments between all of life's excitement. You may look forward to that cabin party for weeks, but the times can be just as good when you relive the memory of it all with friends the day after.
