First off a note to any antipodean head-bangers – these guys aren’t the Kiwi metalists that apparently share the same name. No this Balthazar hail from from Belgium and describe themselves as ‘alternative pop’. This is an amalgam of two words which tend to obscure as much as they reveal. But it is ever thus with any of the myriad genre names chucked at bands.
First off a note to any antipodean head-bangers – these guys aren’t the Kiwi metalists that apparently share the same name. No this Balthazar hail from from Belgium and describe themselves as ‘alternative pop’. This is an amalgam of two words which tend to obscure as much as they reveal. But it is ever thus with any of the myriad genre names chucked at bands.
This particular branch of the alt-pop family begins in winning fashion with the brass hook of Fifteen Floors. The track show-cases the best of what the band do over the course of the album. Somewhat elliptical lyrics are sung over a satisfyingly solid rhythm section. Indeed for much of the album it’s the four strings of the bass guitar that dominate over the six-stringed variety.
They employ a variety of textures and styles. As well as the afore-mentioned brass, there are smatterings of violin and hints of electro and hip-hop. They don’t seem quite as willing to provide a similar variety in tempo. It isn’t that they aren’t able – the second track Hunger at the Door stands out for the burst of drums and guitar squeal that marks it’s conclusion. For most of the album, though, the barely move out of mid-tempo. It is, however, a strong suit for them and allows them to expand their musical palette. Sometimes the use of strings or brass in a pop or indie context can feel tacked on. With Balthazar it feels much more organic you sense it’s there because that is what the tracks need. The nuances don’t dominate, but are there to add to the feel of the tracks.
There are a few hints of Cake and some nods to Gorrilaz (indeed there are some moments when the vocals sound like a less twat-ish Damon Albarn) but at their best they sound, well, like themselves. And certainly not some noisy lads from the southern hemisphere (or indeed a Bulgarian DJ who also shares their moniker).
I was tempted to pretend that these guys were indeed their metal name-sakes as a kind of test to see if anyone actually pays attention to what I say and mistakenly buys it expecting something else. However in the, very unlikely, event that someone would be daft enough to listen to my recommendation they would probably end up wrecking the CD in a fit of pique. Which would be a shame as it’s primarily chilled groove might actually help a few metalists let off steam.
http://www.myspace.com/balthazarband