At the suggestion of producer Connor Seidel, Salt was created by delving into the extensive archives of Montreal band Half Moon Run. One might thus have expected to find the liveliness of Dark Eyes And Sun Leads Me On – the first two albums left us with the band’s most impactful and memorable songs, full-circle, call me In the Afternoon, Turn Your Love Or Consider Yourself are the best examples – but on the contrary, Salt is remarkably soft, probably too much.
There are of course a few nuggets: You Can Let Go starts with confidence with a chorus that reassures, but especially with whispered verses in staccato that are very refreshing. Goodbye Cali is a road trip original shunted by an electric guitar in the foreground and a bass with triturated sounds which is both inventive and melodic. 9beat settles down with a beautiful intro of percussions with a very unusual rhythmic signature which, preserved over the course of the song, supports an intensity which settles in cantilever from the airy atmosphere established by the piano and the guitar.
For the rest, it’s rich and well done, with a few nods to adult pop (Alco) or even to the yacht rock (Hotel Memphis), but you’re never in the wrong place, the cuddly toy remains soft and comfortable. Dodge the Rubblean airy folk piece with rich arrangements that draws its inspiration from Americana, and the title track Saltwhich highlights the soaring harmonies that have made the group famous, are the most inspired ballads of a record that, we hope, will act as a catharsis by restoring a little renewed energy to the Montreal trio.
indie-rock
Salt
Half Moon Run
The Pepper Gang/BMG