Real Estate “Days”

Domino, 2011

Tastes like real pop

• From the ‘Easy’ opener, an upfront jangling proper powerpop tune, Real Estate give you plenty of the things that are good about this kind of cheery, breezy, harmonic pop. The Kinks reference in the title is no accident. Martin Courtney’s voice has a distinctive metallic shimmer, like a tambourine. It’s fine, but contributes to the rather top heavy sound. After a while, I was craving a stronger bass line, a bit less cute twirling. And when ‘Wonder years’ sees Alex Bleeker take over the singing, the depth of his voice gives a better balance to the sound.

• There are some decent tracks here; ‘Green Aisles’ is slightly plodding, but there’s a nice ‘line’ in imagery. ‘Municipality’ sees it all come together nicely. Elsewhere, the sound is just not quite bold enough, and the extended moments without singing ('Kinder Blumen', 'Out of Tune') do lay bare the musical imagination: whilst these are pleasant enough, there’s not enough to keep you coming back for another listen.