AMG Review of Dragonslayer

Jason Lymangrover
All Music Guide

Maintaining the adventurous nature that makes Sunset Rubdown Spencer Krug's most ambitious project, Dragonslayer is a tightly woven and surprisingly effortless listen. Third time's a charm, as they say, and here it seems that Krug has struck that perfect balance between eclectic and poppy. It's a fine line, but Sunset Rubdown tread it well, never seeming too careful and never stepping on a hook with their trademark spiraling solos and splintering changes. Although the band deconstructs the typical verse-chorus formula and the songs usually break the five-minute mark ("Dragon's Lair" exceeds ten minutes), the melodies of "Idiot Heart" and opener "Silver Moons" are instantly memorable, sounding nearly classic. The latter song is a piano ballad with elements of glam rock, that, once again, takes a cue from David Bowie -- but this time appropriating Ziggy Stardust moves rather than drawing influence from Bowie's Berlin era. Sure, the music is challenging -- it's complex, musically and thematically. Art rock's not supposed to be easy. But as carefully crafted as it is, this is the group's most accessible record yet. And it's a damn fine one at that.