Like with many underground experimental groups getting tired of not being noticed, Infinite Number of Sounds has attempted to produce an album that is readily enjoyable by all, which is a shame as it makes Radio Whales hit and miss depending upon which song you’re listening to.
The opening songs are by far the catchiest, most rock-enthused, and thus less impressive of the bunch.
“Fast Fashion” may start off exciting but all too quickly its’ piercing, electronic intro is drowned out, rather than accompanied, by a barrage of pop-rock, making ready the song for any 2006 car advert too cheap to fork out the Benjamin’s for a U2 track.
“Kiss My Converse” provides another radio-friendly ensemble, hitching a ride off the present popularity of the electro-rock revival with a keyboard/ guitar-fused tune as boring and saturated as most electro-rock revivalists out there at present.
But enough of the negatives. Radio Whales, when not attempting run-of-the-mill chart topping rhythms, brings forth some excellent post-rock electronica.
“Washington Monument”, for example, supplies some post-grunge distortion bliss that should easily make comparisons to Sonic Youth and Mogwai alike. These comparisons only strengthen with tunes such as “Artificial Light”, a down-beat progressive piece that combines haunting distortion with cranked-up guitars that have all the resonance of a vivid dream.
It is however from “Duidire”, a dark, ambient composition brimming with tribal force through its innovative use of drums and didgeridoo that the restraints of the experimental finally collapse and allow Infinite Number of Sounds true colours to emerge.
“Airborn Young” gives us our last offering of serene minimalist vibes, closing the album on high note and allowing the temperamental start to Radio Whales to be excused, the good outweighing the bad on this album and then some.
Infinite Number of Sounds has attempted to grow from an experimental venture to a professional act and it is within this transformation Infinite Number of Sounds falters, trying to provide a sound that neither brings anything new nor highlights the bands’ expertise. Radio Whales strongest songs are rooted in the electronic and post-rock sounds of their earlier evolution and to stay in that creative mindset would only enhance further releases.
