Album Review: Before Today

You should have seen this coming. That is, me, endlessly raving about Before Today – Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti’s stellar release of this year (and possibly, their career).

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti
Before Today
Label: 4AD/Remote Control
Release Date: June 4

Beyond the obvious now sounding refined per se, this record is an immediate classic and all before the closing track. I’ll give you a few reasons why:

• Re-released singles like “Can’t Hear My Eyes” and “Beverly Kills” sound impossibly smoother and tactile as characterised by new samples, saxophone solos and more reverb.
• The instrumental gem, “Reminiscenes” greets you with a vibe more akin to the sound as released on Italians Do It Better. With this in mind, if I told you this was my favourite track on the record you probably wouldn’t be surprised.
• Not many bands can pull off killer guitar solos as introductions. Those that try and fail will look like they’re stuck in an 80’s glam metal band. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti will show you how it’s done properly, kids. Listen to “Butt House Blondes”.
• There is an effortless cool radiated in ALL 12 tracks of Before Today.

Whilst no longer in the d.i.y. realm, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti have not ceased to broaden their horizon. They have reached a new level of sophistication with Before Today surprising you at every turn track. On one level, it is smooth – like the kind of smooth where you accidentally burn (and erase) the fingerprints on your hand. On another, it’s like this peculiar creature that you’re certain you’ve seen before but really, you just imagined it. It is however, on many levels amazingly suave. So I might’ve accidentally burnt myself today but I don’t care because Before Today is blowing my mind.

[MP3] Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Round & Round