Following last year’s acclaimed D, White Denim return as they release in proper Last Day of Summer, a collection of songs written since the band’s formation in 2006 and recorded over one frantic month. Previously put out as a free download on the band’s website in September 2010 following label problems, the album drew me back time and again and is well worth that hard earned tenner. “It represented a final opportunity to make a record in our own space on our own terms.” said singer James Petralli’s. “We were fully aware that because of typical recording industry practices, this record would have little to no chance of receiving a typical release. With that truth in our minds, we resolved ourselves to completing Last Day of Summer in one month. After the completion of the record we all planned to go out and get day jobs, the band once again becoming a weekend project.”
However, the release proved popular and having gained a stellar reputation for their live sets and a devout fan base, the band were able to sort out their label issues, and happily hand in notes of resignation.
With opening track ‘I’d Have It Just The Way We Were’ the album is instantly alive; like the fidget in the classroom who can’t keep still it is disjointed and restless but turns cheerfully frantic as ‘Home Together’ explodes in a suitably summery sweat. The album as a whole perfectly captures the essence of those dying days of contentedness as summer fades away, taking with it those warm tipsy evenings and hazy days of freedom from school or the office. Unlike many summer albums from young bands, this is not lusty or angs- filled and instead sun drenched and bouncy- the Texan’s take us to a warm festival field and a happy family barbeque and help dismiss any British winter blues.
Album highlights include the idyllic ‘Some Wild Outgoing’ and the reassuringly memorable ‘Shy Billy’, with a slick, R ‘n’ B baseline and merry disposition which transports us to a cheery summer’s day of an innocent youth. White Denim may not created a ground breaking masterpiece, in fact they haven’t, but this record is blissful and bright and at an instant puts us at ease, which is never a bad thing. It makes me long for those deck-chaired summer days and, if only for that, I like it a lot.
The album Last Day of Summer is out now on Downtown Records.
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However, the release proved popular and having gained a stellar reputation for their live sets and a devout fan base, the band were able to sort out their label issues, and happily hand in notes of resignation.
