Passion Pit
“Constant Conversations”
Gossamer (Columbia)
I’m not quite sure how I feel about the new, moody Passion Pit. Via an article on Pitchfork, I was surprised to read Michael Angelakos say that the Cambridge group’s second LP, Gossamer, was going to be an introspective, melancholy affair. The Passion Pit that we knew from the group’s breakout debut, Manners, was bouncy, sunny, and bursting with life. It seemed unlikely that the group would be able to capture that aesthetic successfully, and I also wasn’t sure whether I was interested even if they could. I haven’t been floored by any of the three pre-release singles, and this is probably more interesting than enjoyable. Don’t get me wrong, “Constant Conversations” is an well-crafted slab of white boy soul with truly personal lyrics (having to do with alcoholism) and some soaring vocals from Angelakos. That said, it just lacks have the immediacy of their early work, which makes is what set them apart from their peers. I’m not ready to write it off yet, but the jury is most certainly out.
