On Strength In Numbers, Calla have delivered an exceptionally haunting indie-rock record, with the focus less on guitars or beats than on pure melody. The live influence is less pronounced than on prior Calla releases, delivering a particularly well crafted, gentler, tragic-sound. With less guitars than 2005’s Collisions, less drums than 2003’s Televise, and less bass than 2001’s Scavengers, New York’s Calla have found the balance that has resonated in much of today’s quality indie-pop/rock, while still retaining their slow rhythm and downbeat feel.
Unfortunately, Strength In Numbers starts off on probably its worst track, "Sanctify", whose goth-rock intimations feel terribly forced. But the release’s best track follows, the quiet-but-effective "Defenses Down". The strong melody it exhibits keeps up throughout the rest of the album, though not quite as gripping, leaving a beautiful and harmonic record, which sometimes struggles with substantiality. "Sleep in Splendor" is not just an apt name for the fourth song – it is also an apt name for the entire record.
There is variety among the numbers, from the straight poignancy in "Stand Paralyzed" and "A Sure Shot", to the more of ‘road’ feel of "Le Gusta El Fuego" and "Simone". though a number of tracks play on a bit too long. While sometimes slipping into almost emo in their attempts to be ‘meaningful’, their art-rock melodies can’t be denied. And the excellent single, "Bronson", has a driving up-tempo beat, while preserving their downbeat theme.
On their second Beggars Banquet release, Calla has found an indie niche that one might call comfortable, were it not so haunting. Like Ambulance Ltd. or The Shins at their most melancholy, Strength In Numbers has a quiet beauty meshed with a quiet sadness. The album is soft, lovely, fragile, and something to behold.
-Tom Balfour
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