[Music] ‘Dragonslayer’ by Sunset Rubdown

Dragonslayer
by Sunset Rubdown

1. “Silver Moons” – 4:45
2. “Idiot Heart” – 6:09
3. “Apollo and the Buffalo and Anna Anna Anna Oh!*” – 5:23
4. “Black Swan” – 6:54
5. “Paper Lace” – 3:48
6. “You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)” – 5:43
7. “Nightingale/December Song” – 5:34
8. “Dragon’s Lair” – 10:28
*song embedded below

I came across Sunset Rubdown a few years ago. I think the progression was something like: through Modest Mouse found Wolf Parade; through Wolf Parade found Sunset Rubdown.

Sunset Rubdown (SR) is considered the “art” band output for Wolf Parade front man Spencer Krug. SR comprises frantically layered rhythmic music (perhaps somewhat similar to The Arcade Fire) with metaphor and myth-laden lyrics. Songs and albums can take place in a completely timeless world, or in the mythical past, or deal with topical modern subjects. The lyrics are not immediately accessible, but that only increases the repeat listenability of the music. Then once nuggets are uncovered, the narrative begins to have focus to the listener and that increases the repeat listenability of the music.

“Dragonslayer” is the most recent album from the band and it is perhaps their most accessible and brilliant to date. The album kicks off with “Silver Moon” which can be called a tribute to Ziggy-era David Bowie – and by tribute I mean does Ziggy about as well as Bowie did. “Silver Moon” sets the mood majestically with its esoteric lyrics that seem to recall an almost druidic, olde tyme setting:

Confetti floats away like dead leaves in the wagon’s wake.
There were parties here in my honor until you sent me away.
Now silver moons belong to you.

Passing the baton from the old mare to the fawn
- it was out of line but it was fun -
and didn’t you love the part right before the dawn?
But now silver moons belong to you.

I’m off to the ballet, and to practice all these ancient ways.
Tell the new kids where I hid the wine,
tell their fathers that I’m on my way,
and say “Hey, maybe these days are over now…”

And I loved it better than anyone else, you know.
I believe in growing old with grace.
I believe she only loved my face.
I believe I acted like a child making faces at acquired tastes.
And now silver moons belong to you…

Obviously literate and complex, “Silver Moons” starts a narrative that book-ends majestically with the ten minute epic “Dragonslayer” – the 8th and final cut on the album. The titles of the songs are not literal and one must listen closely, and often, to conclude the difference between the metaphorical and the literal and, possibly, the nonsense. It is just a magical journey of an epic fantasy, traditional myth, and everyday life.

That has to be the ultimate reward in music.

Sample song from “Dragonslayer”

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