Review: Army Navy, The Last Place
In the 2008 movie, “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist,” Nick (Michael Cera) and Norah (Kat Dennings) chase each other around New York City searching for Norah’s best friend, who is at a secret show of their favorite band. I won’t ruin the ending for you, but I’ll just say that their favorite band could have easily been indie rock trio Army Navy, who have a track featured in the movie’s soundtrack.
Infinite playlists aside, Army Navy, hailing from Los Angeles, CA, is back with a follow-up to their critically acclaimed first album. Their new CD, The Last Place, is anything but.
Engineered/produced by Adam Lasus (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Yo La Tengo) over a period of 6 months, The Last Place deftly avoids the sophomore slump with catchy hooks, melodious harmonies, and cerebral lyrics. Army Navy’s sound is reminiscent of the Decemberists and … a poppy, male, Camera Obscura. (Stay with me here…)
Army Navy will be touring their new album in late 2011. In the meantime, a recommended track is the wistfully upbeat 1950s-sounding “Ode to Janice Melt.”
So if you’re like me, when the dog days of summer are over and fall is right around the corner, Army Navy’s “Last Place” might be just what you need to mentally prepare for the this semester (Lisa Frank trapper-keepers optional).
– Ingrid Farfalle
