The Most Serene Republic – Population

The Most Serene Republic will be releasing their new album “Population” on October 2nd via Arts & Crafts Records, the same label that released the outstanding new Feist record. This Canadian Indie Art Pop Rock group has really tried to create something different here. These songs have been carefully composed, leaving the listener to stare, with ears open at a pattern full of complexity and originality.

Now, it would be easy to say that this new album is not very accessible, but I believe as in life, we must judge these things based on their intentions.

Ryan Lenssen who is the producer and keyboardist explains, “Population is our dystopian novel record. It is The Empire Strikes Back; it’s the one that starts out with all the action and then leaves you hanging, makes you wait for The Return of the Jedi. It really is the anti-record, the one in between that celebrates the negatives of everything.” He continues, “I want people to put on the record and I want them to stop what they’re doing and just listen to it. If they listen to it once a year, I’m happy. If they listen to it once in their lifetime in that dedicated kind of way, I’ll be happy. But I do honestly think that if you spend time with it, it reveals truths with each listen. Every word and note is so placed to be the most biting it could be.”

In other words this album is not very accessible but it isn’t trying to be, actually it is trying to be the opposite. Listen right here to the track “Solipsism Millionaires” and decide for yourself. Just make sure to turn it up loud enough so that the many layers have a chance at becoming more visible.

I personally love most art rock, it’s just another way of saying that the people who made this weren’t just trying to slap some good music together and roll around in the green of your sons and daughters allowances. This is what happens when former art students get together.

For what ever it’s worth, Lenssen is right. You will need to give this album your complete focus, it is not commercial and when you no doubt find your mind wandering within the landscape of The Most Serene Republic, you can decide for yourself whether you like being part of the Population there. I suggest visiting before you decide to move there, just to be sure you like it.

~ by mughead on October 2, 2007.