[rating=4.00]
Swelling feedback begins Somehow Disappearing on an ominous note, but just as the noise reaches its peak intensity, it gives way to piano and sparse clean guitar. The power in the opening track, “All Alone,” is not in loud distorted guitars, as expected. Instead, it lies in the juxtaposition of the soothing piano and the deep bass grove backing it. Such misdirection and dichotomy epitomizes the album as a whole.
Somehow Disappearing is New Idea Society’s third full-length release, but the first on the Shiny Shoes label. With the help of producer Andy LeMaster (Bright Eyes, R.E.M.), the band has achieved a new level of maturity and creativity.
New Idea Society have crafted a sonic landscape that relies on nuance and sleight of hand rather than a routine pop rock formula. Though the music has a minimalist approach, its layered quality rewards repeated listening, with each play revealing something new. Sounds that don’t traditionally go together are combined, such as the frenzied drum rolls and jangling guitars of “Autumn You” or the marching drums and brooding melody of “Come Outside.”
Guitarist Mike Law’s vocals sound a little too close to emo, but they work as a counterpoint to the thudding bassline of “Thorns.” Michael DiBenedetto’s sinister bassline in “Disappearing” meshes with the fuzzed-out guitars but clashes with the pop piano. Even the most straightforward rock song, the infinitely catchy “Sing It Right,” contrasts distorted power chords with new wave synthesizer.
In a world of short attention spans, the art of Somehow Disappearing won’t be immediately apparent. This isn’t an album you can fully appreciate during your morning commute. Instead, it’s a collection of subtle moments of genius that reward any listener willing to give it their full attention.
