Destroyer – Your Blues

Your Blues is My Blues

I have given Destroyer’s acoustic guitar-based Your Blues more listens than it is worth in an attempt to understand it. I don’t know that it is so terribly complicated, but failing to connect with any single song, and enjoying only a paltry two or so, I presume there is a higher meaning to the work. Thus far, I have come up empty-handed.The album leaves the listener wondering if much of it was written just to be silly, or if Daniel Bejar—the man behind Destroyer—is dead serious and simply pretentious. This question arises with the first song, “Notorious Lightning.” Bejar talk/sings his way through this song with an over-animated passion one might employ while reading a children’s story aloud. It promises the listener that the following songs, good or bad, will at least be a new experience.

“Lightning” is followed by the catchy “It’s Gonna Take an Airplane.” A rhythmic blend of acoustic guitar, strings, flutes, and hand-clapping, it brings hope for the rest of the album. However, this is the best song on it, and it’s all downhill from here. By the fourth song, “Music Lovers,” the album is boring. At this point in every listen, I check my watch and tracklist to figure how much more there is to go.

The album continues, slowly beating down the listener. In the end, all the songs seem to have run together, lacking individuality. Ever the optimist, I hope that there is still some meaning or purpose here that I have missed. It may be suited for those interested in more folkie indie-pop. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.