Album review: Cloud Control “Dream Cave”

by Rose Blanton

Dream Cave is the answer for anybody suffering from severe music ADD. Just like you have an issue when deciding what sound you’re searching for so does Cloud Control. In no way is this meant to be a negative judgment. It is a rarity when one album can convey such an eclectic sound.

The Australian band’s sophomore album is an amassment of front man Alister Wright’s relationship errors. He sometimes sings in a crooner call to a lost love like on “Moonrabbit”. Other tracks lend themselves to a Robert Smith creepy dance vibe. Either way, at least instrumentally, there’s an array to choose from.

The album opens up with an echoing choir that is reminiscent of an Animal Collective album. This should not turn anyone off though. Sometimes Animal Collective can be hard to digest, but this is not the case with Cloud Control. They immediately switch to a teen dream sound with the delight that is “Promises”. However, they are still able remain intriguing with a hint of keyboards and garage rock-like guitars. The teeny, dreamy sound stays alive throughout the album, but it is jabbed every once in awhile with an industrial beat that is created through synth and rhythmic percussion. “The Smoke, the Feeling,” and “Island Living” definitely imbue this industrial sound. On these tracks are less of the trembling guitars and more of the machines.

“Scar“ is track that displays the blending of the two prevalent sounds on the albums. It mixes them both to become an instant favorite and a good way to cut the album in half. Perhaps, allowing the listeners to rearrange the tracks in a fashion they see more fit for their own personal listening.

Dream Cave is a great way to close out the summer and step into fall. Hopefully Cloud Control will be able to come up from down under and give us North American kids a little change from the usual day to day sound we are subjected to.