With such an extensive catalog, it is difficult to get started: Destroyer‘s discography now includes 14 studio albums. Although »Kaputt« (2011) is considered the band’s most important work, there are essential records in every phase of the band’s now 30-year history.
Fortunately, »Dan’s Boogie«, the new album by the Canadian band led by 52-year-old singer Dan Bejar, offers an ideal introduction – not only because of its compact 37-minute playing time, but also because it sounds like one thing above all else: Destroyer. That’s exactly what you need as a starting point – a record that captures the essence of the act without hiding behind a concept.
While the last two albums tried their hand at trip-hop and house – quite successfully – on »Dan’s Boogie« they just play. The band sounds more live-in-the-room than it has since “Rubies ” (2006). Bejar brings together his familiar ingredients: Dylan timbre, glam theatrics, yacht-rock swagger and crooner vibes a la Frank Sinatra. He says he hasn’t listened to classic rock in a long time, but his vocabulary is steeped in it – and it shines through here.
The opening is reminiscent of »Race for the Prize« by The Flaming Lips, which is a natural fit. But the real highlight is the last part: the section from »Sun Meet Snow« to »Travel Light« is superbly written, arranged and performed.
