The thing is, I'm not even quite big on interior or exterior design or gardening or power tools or whatever the fuck people who watch HGTV are into; in fact I don't even know how to use power tools for shit, and if I ever dared to even put a dab of paint on my rental home, my landlord would would be on my ass faster than a priest in a playground.
It's quite a phenomenon that a channel like HGTV is able to capture viewers' attention so well on such an unentertaining topic (no offense to the savvy out there). In any case though, this is because of the fact that most HGTV programs follow a format that I like to call “the constant climax format”. Yeah, it's pretty much exactly what it sounds like, althought there's a little more to it than just that.
There's also the very short introduction to the program which generally puts people off from watching the show. However, it gives you an overall feel of what the program is about, and develops the personality as well as setting in which the show and all of whom are involved are going to be based upon. For example in a home renovation program, we meet the happy couple who are planning on renovating their bungalow in the suburbs of North London to accomodate a set of expected quintuplets. Upon meeting the happy couple, we notice that there is tension between them, for the male in the relationship feels a little sex-lacking. At this time we also meet the designer, renovator, and other contracted workers - most likely yuppy scum from Nottingham in their late 20s - takes note of how pathetic the couple are.
This introduction usually isn't very long, and in a way helps the viewer feel settled about watching the show. But as soon as this is over, the constant climax begins. Throughout the rest of the show, it's just a non stop rampage of clips showcasing all the exquisite work being done to the house. For the next 20 minutes straight (considering it's a half hour show), everyone is presenting all sorts of formidable ideas to contribute towards the renovation, all of which are either put to work immediately or improved upon in the most eccentric ways. My choice of two words to describe this type of programming are: fucking aggressive.
After all the work is done, the completed renovations are showcased, and the happy couple who were happy to begin with are of course even happier. The fact that the program always resolves in a functional closure makes me so glad. I would never have to be cautious of an HGTV program ending like some shit movie such as The Fantastic 4. The renovations are always completed, or the houses are always built. And it's not just good because people go home happy, but because the resolution always works.
Now, back to the part about the climax. Montreal psychedelic/space-pop band The Besnard Lakes' new record – The Besnard Lakes Are Dark Horse is exactly this. The album, filled with the utmost intensity has that dearly beloved aggressive edge of oh so many HGTV programs. It starts out fairly slow and ambient, developing the personality that is The Besnard Lakes. Then, with the third song “And You Lied To Me”, the record completely lifts off into a rocksteady overdrive of comforting delusions. Three guitars continue to culminate their way through the next half hour of constant aggression and edge, utilizing the psychedelic arrangements of vocalist and guitarist Jace Lasek. Then with the final sonic blow, the album concludes with a marvelously practical resolution in the catchy tune “Cedric's War”.
Considering such remarkable talent in this extraordinary band, it's hard to believe that their previous record Volume 1 wasn't well recieved. It's definately safe to say that The Besnard Lakes have now developed a sound that is them and their own. The fact that this is only the second record of a band that will obviously have so much to offer for the future is a very settling thought. But as for now, this is certainly one of the best albums of the year so far.
