Sunset Rubdown

Add Date: June 16

Artist: Sunset Rubdown

Album: Dragonslayer

Label: Jagjaguwar

Genre: Rock

Comments: Another fine record from Sunset Rubdown, which started out as an outlet for Spencer Krug's lo-fi solo work but has expanded into a 5-member experimental pop monster with the recent addition of bassist/percussionist Mark Nicol. But Krug--also known for his work with Wolf Parade, Swan Lake, Frog Eyes, Fifths of Seven, Led Zeppelin, The Three Tenors, The Grateful Dead and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir*--is still the driving force, and his penchant for writing arty-yet-enjoyable pop rock songs is at the forefront of Dragonslayer. However, unlike the 2007 issue Random Spirit Layer, this new album is stripped down and, as a result, much more accessible. Start with the slightly epic "Idiot Heart" and "Black Swan," and don't miss the excellent 10-minute closer "Dragon's Lair."


* - A poor attempt at a joke relating to the fact that Krug and Wolf Parade bandmate Dan Boeckner are involved in a seemingly endless string of other musical projects; I attempted to make the line of demarcation so painfully obvious that you can't miss where the real list stops and the fake one begins. Though I do imagine that Krug and/or Boeckner would put an interesting spin on "Stairway to Heaven."