The electro-pop exploits of Dan Werb and Paul Banwatt have come a long way in the five or so years they’re been together. From 2005’s "woodhands" which showed the beginnings of a contained-yet-beautiful synth based duo, to 2008’s "Heart Attack" which leveled any and all notions of containment, the two have thrown aside restraint, and have since put ambience into overdrive. Flash forward to the band’s latest effort, Remorsecapade. The confused awesomeness evident on the album’s cover sums up Woodhands’ most recent endeavor in a nutshell. Despite producing a very energetic form of electronica, the band’s music is out there to say the least.
Unlike many other products of their genre, Werb and Banwatt ditch any notions of haziness. Like the band’s previous work, Remorsecapade instead functions in a wonderfully refined clarity. Despite opening on memorable number "Pockets", the album is anything but, early on. It is clear that Woodhands have curbed any and all limitations, and the lack of constraint goes a bit over the top. From an overly shrill keytar to some painfully dance-music-esque sounds, the album fails to captivate initially. Thankfully, some upbeat eccentrics as well as some much needed humor redeem them on the self-deprecating songs "SLUTS" and "Coolchazine". With a little comic relief in hand, Woodhands manages to take the edge off and actually goes above and beyond on "Dissembler". Dreamy synths and disciplined percussion accent a really lovely duet, as the song proves to be an absolute gem. "When The Party’s Over" only builds on this sort of light, fresh environment, before fading into another standout track on "I Want To Be Together". Here, angst is removed from any sort of negative connotation, while pensive thoughts illuminate a wistful electronic background.
Remorsecapade closes fleetingly, on similarly meditative song "How To Survive A Remorsecapade". Though the album at times questions whether the transition from a more contained synth-pop sound was warranted, the second half of Remorescapade is entirely capable of justifying the move. Woodhands shows that ambience can be both troubling and awe-inspiring, sometimes at the same time.
MP3 Stream: "I Want To Be Together"
