It was so easy,and the words so sweet

wearebeautiful—-wearedoomed:

sounds-of-summer:

Los Campesinos!—”We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed”

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I’m not going to beat around the bush here: I firmly believe that the song “We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed” by the band Los Campesinos! is a masterpiece of indie pop.

There. I said it.

It’s a masterpiece.

It begins small, with a lone keyboard churning out the opening theme as a fucking catchy drum beat quickly chimes in. A bass line is soon added, along with a rising electric guitar, building and building until it all erupts in a bombastic and euphonious intro. Incredible.

Gareth comes in with his signature vocals, rapid yet very articulate. With some exceptionally poetic lyrics, he creates three different snapshots of a beautiful love affair that’s doomed to fail.

Harriet’s gorgeous violin makes a brief appearance between the second and third verses before being swept up in the cataclysm of instruments that make Los Campesinos! one of the most unique bands out there today.

One of the best things about the lyrics in this song is their aphoristic quality. Lines such as “Absence makes the heart grow fonder / Fondness makes the absence longer” and “Oh we kid ourselves there’s future in the fucking / But there is no fucking future” blow my mind every time I hear them. This song is ridiculously quotable as a result of these perfect lyrics.

This song is equally as sophisticated musically as it is lyrically. It has a dramatic tempo change about midway through the song before picking up speed again; it has multiple themes that shift constantly as it progresses; and it is very detailed in its production. Every little sound is significant, perfectly placed to enhance the music, rather than distract from it.

One example of this sophistication is heard at the very end of the song. Right before the titular line is spoken, Harriet performs a beautiful final rendition of the opening theme on her violin. Immediately after the word “doomed” escapes from Gareth’s mouth, a cacophonous title wave of music surges forth, contrasting from the beauty heard moments ago.

The music itself reflects the lyrics being sung. If that’s not the sign of incredible music, then I don’t know what is.

this is so perfectly said.

I wrote this review and it sums up my feelings about LC! songs pretty well.