As with the rest of Helvetia's many albums, there's something more than a little bit off about Dromomania, but in a delightful way. While sticking to a standard guitar/bass/drums/vocals lineup, the group creates skewed, abstract indie pop songs that often include unpredictable time signatures or surreal transitions. There are plenty of head-scratching juxtapositions, such as the combination of soft vocals and grossly distorted electric guitars on "The Rubber Maids," which opens with noisy, proggy bashing before settling ...
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As with the rest of Helvetia's many albums, there's something more than a little bit off about Dromomania, but in a delightful way. While sticking to a standard guitar/bass/drums/vocals lineup, the group creates skewed, abstract indie pop songs that often include unpredictable time signatures or surreal transitions. There are plenty of head-scratching juxtapositions, such as the combination of soft vocals and grossly distorted electric guitars on "The Rubber Maids," which opens with noisy, proggy bashing before settling into a breezy motorik groove. The songs often feature fragmented riffs that briefly bring to mind familiar melodies, such as the mutated Kinks-isms of opener "Bermuda," but they never sit still and are constantly evolving. Despite the unpredictable nature and odd sonic combinations, the group clearly has a mind to write pop songs, and some of the album's best moments are the ones that play things a bit more straightforwardly. "A Dot Running for the Dust" is simply magnificent, mixing pleasantly crunchy drums and atmospheric organ-sounding guitars with a sturdy hook ("the ghosts will probably try") and spacy effects fluttering away in the background. "Psychomagic" shifts between several different rhythms, dreamily crossfading between steady live drums and punchy electronic beats. "Olaf" features pounding uptempo drums, scratchy riffs, and eerie whistling effects, resulting in a strange Dr. Who theme-gone-glam hybrid (and no, it does not sound like the Timelords' "Doctorin' the Tardis"). "Pink Finish" sets one of the album's more sentimental melodies over trippy, funky drums and snake-like guitars that seem to squirm in at random. Scrappy roots rock anthem "Feeling the Warm Hair" ends the album with a homely, catchy melody covered in ungodly guitar noise. Equally perplexing and grin-inducing, Dromomania is charmingly odd without being too esoteric or off-putting. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi
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Add this copy of Dromomania to cart. $12.00, very good condition, Sold by Gardner's Used Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Tulsa, OK, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by Joyful Noise Records.
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Very good. 1 Disc is in great condition with minimal signs of use. Minimal wear on case. Tulsa's best used bookstore. Located on South Mingo Road since 1991. No-hassle return policy if not completely satisfied.
Add this copy of Dromomania to cart. $18.86, new condition, Sold by Importcds rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sunrise, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by Joyful Noise.
Add this copy of Dromomania to cart. $21.93, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by Joyful Noise Records.
Add this copy of Dromomania to cart. $27.11, new condition, Sold by Importcds rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sunrise, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by Joyful Noise.
Add this copy of Dromomania [Vinyl] to cart. $29.70, new condition, Sold by Revaluation Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Exeter, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2015 by JOYFUL NOISE REC.
Add this copy of Dromomania to cart. $34.30, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by Joyful Noise Records.
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