Brontosaurus (2)

Comparing Brontosaurus to anything past or present is about as tough as transcribing some of their own constantly ­shifting suites. Here, the rhythm ­gambling, tom­ heavy rumblings of indie ­rock elite such as Don Caballero or Dianogah rub elbows with the slightly mad­scientist guitar pop leanings of the New Pornographers, as well as intricate folk storytelling. No one particular mood stays past its welcome on O​ur Animal Ways,​but lyrically Kelley and Papaleo are clearly searching to get back ­to ­basics – by at least hundreds of years – or perhaps alerting listeners of a strangely beautiful, yet apocalyptic restart. Lines about “waiting for a carcass I can commandeer,” or hopes to “start rotting soon / as being mortal can spoil the man” come across more preparatory and poetic, rather than threatening, giving the rich musical accompaniment a solid venue to stand on, only adding to its mystery. Vice versa, when Kelley and Papaleo swap instruments – often several times – during the same song, it only assists the progress of the story at hand. Such a yin­ yang relationship artistically is rare, it's constantly taking us down new avenues.