Currents [2 LP]

Okay, so I've listened to Tame Impala's excellent new album Currents several times now. Like everyday, twice a day, since last Friday. I can say very confidently that it's a masterpiece. Kevin Parker has finally decided he no longer has to make albums that sound like they're being performed by a crusty crew of long-haired, bearded psych dudes jammin' on a weed and lager high. He's succumbed to the idea -or realization- that he himself is just as much a producer as he is a singer in a rock band. Since the beginning he's recorded Tame Impala records by himself, with the same old equipment, with the same idea in mind which is writing great, catchy pop songs. But he did so in a way where those songs could still be looked at as a band and not just Kevin Parker. Currents marks the point in Mr. Parker's musical career where he gave in to the idea that he's an amazing studio svengali that can manipulate sound and instrument into something that's both retro and futuristic. He needn't worry about creating the illusion of a "band" jammin'. Working with Mark Ronson must've given him the push he needed to fully commit to his studio and songwriting prowess. Sure, a broken heart always helps things along, too. This is his skewered pop epic. Currents is a classic pop record. A classic rock record. It's just a classic. The songs? "Let It Happen" is a nearly 8 minute kinetic, anxiety-soaked, dance track that pulsates urgency and the vibe of "when it happens, let it happen." There seems to be a million things happening in this song, yet it never feels overindulgent. It seems to encapsulate everything about Tame Impala that I've grown to love about them(or him.) "The Moment" could be a b-side from Thriller. I could so completely hear Michael Jackson singing this great track. All the studio trickery with delays, echoes, and ethereal synths are here, but Parker's voice is much more in the center and pulled up for us to hear. It's a much more clear-eyed approach to a Tame Impala tune that we haven't heard before. "Yes I'm Changing" is pretty much an all out ballad. A song about coming to grips with the idea we don't always stay the same. People grow apart and that's that. Parker has tinkered with sentiment before, but here he's embracing it completely. "Eventually" has an "It Feels Like We Only Go Backwards" vibe to it, if you threw in some 80s Genesis on top and coated it with some powdered sugar. One of my absolute favorite tracks is the sublime "The Less I Know The Better". For me, this song epitomizes a childhood of sitting in the backseat of my mom and dad's 1984 Honda Accord and those rides being soundtracked by early 80s FM radio. The electric piano, the wurlitzer, the disco-lite beat, and the falsetto are throwbacks to a time in pop music that is looked back upon as cheesy and processed; yet Parker seems to make it relevant and poignant. This song is about as perfect a pop track as they come. "Disciples" comes in and out of the speakers in less than 2 minutes but it's classic a classic psych rock guitar track. "Cause I'm A Man" is a skewed slow jam. THC-fueled R&B. "Reality In Motion" sounds like something Parker may have penned for Melody Prochet but decided to keep it for himself. "New Person, Same Old Mistakes" feels like a mantra put to stark pop bliss. It's slow, loping drum beat and intricately placed musical easter eggs make for some great headphone listening. Currents does something quite fantastical in that it takes the uncool and makes it cool again. Those cheesy electric piano sounds you heard in Richard Marx songs in the mid-80s? Well they're not cheesy anymore. Kevin Parker takes the uncool and makes it vital. Currents is a pop record from another dimension. A dimension where Kevin Parker co-wrote "Billie Jean" with Michael Jackson and smoked up with Alan Parsons. It's one of the best records of the year.

I bought this record second hand and it was in really good shape. Packaging was good. I will definitely be perching in the future. It's also one of my favorite albums!

This album got me insane. The quality of the materials is crazy. Really nice purchase.

Nice and soft relaxing Music.

I LOVE TAME IMPALA SO MUCH!!

This has quickly become one of my favourite albums of this year and represents a major change in direction from the last two albums. There is more a groove to this album than even "Innerspeaker" and the guitars have either been removed or treated so much that one of Kevin's trademarks has all but disappeared. If you have been following Kevin over the last year, this really isn't much of a surprise. Consider his "Like a Version" cover of Andre 3000's "Prototype" and his work with Mark Ronson and they are very much in line with "Currents". "Cause I'm a Man" (a real highlight on the album) has been cut from the same cloth as "Prototype" and "Daffodils". Another huge change is he did not use Dave Friedman on this album. Gone is the distortion and Lo-Fi sound, replaced by a much more cleaner sound. Some of the songs may appear to be simple in structure, but closer listening reveals a lot of detail and flourishes. This album is a real pleasure to listen to on headphones. Some have mentioned Todd Rundgren's name as an influence and it is still here, but instead of copying Todd, Kevin has synthesized his influence into something new. Kevin openly admitted that "A Wizard a True Star" was a major influence on "Lonerism". "Currents" shows similarities to "Hermit of Mink Hollow". Both albums are about break ups and the aftermath (Melody Prochet, Bebe Beaull respectively), both albums were composed, written and performed by a single individual. There are large pop and blue eyed soul components in each album. Todd can only wish he could write a "Reality In Motion" or "Love / Paranoia" song now though his influence on these songs is evident. For those that were disappointed in this album, especially for the lack of guitars, I can understand your view. Tame Impala's changes have been revolutionary instead of just evolutionary which always alienates some old fans. I personally find this to be a great album.

So glad I picked up this album to add to my Vinyl Collection but it does have some problems when i played it: 1.) The "Yes, I'm Changing" song had a scratched/skipped on the "I was raging," part. The other songs i played didn't have any problems when i played it. 2.) The discs looked a bit wonky when i took it out from the LP but i ain't complaining alot about cause i love this LP. Other than that, I love the cover and the artwork on it. I love Kevin's work on the Currents and all of his other stuff! Can't wait buy his Slow Rush LP when i eventually (No pun intended) get it!

“It arrived in excellent condition — you can clearly tell it’s original and fully sealed, which I really appreciated. The packaging was great and protected the album perfectly. As for the record itself, it sounds amazing. If you’re a Tame Impala fan, this is definitely a must-have for your collection. The quality is great, the presentation is beautiful, and overall it exceeded my expectations. I’m really happy with this purchase and would totally recommend it.

i got this for my boyfriends birthday, haven’t given it to him yet so it hasn’t been opened but so far in its packaging it looks to be in great condition and at a great price.

Très jolie album et groupe australien, un très beaux cadeaux de Noël pour les amateurs de disques vinyles et passionnés de musique

Simplesmente impecável! A entrega foi muito rápida, o produto chegou antes do esperado e muito bem embalado, com todo o cuidado necessário para proteger um item tão especial. A caixa veio em perfeito estado, sem amassados ou qualquer tipo de dano, e o entregador foi muito atencioso durante a entrega. Quanto ao vinil, não poderia estar mais satisfeito. A edição é linda, os discos vieram em perfeito estado e toda a apresentação faz jus à qualidade do álbum. Currents é uma verdadeira obra-prima do Tame Impala, a experiência de ouvir esse álbum no vinil é ainda mais especial, com um som envolvente e uma qualidade excelente. Estou extremamente satisfeito com a compra. Produto impecável, entrega excelente e um álbum simplesmente incrível. Recomendo sem pensar duas vezes para qualquer fã da banda e para quem aprecia uma boa coleção de vinis.

Brilliant album

Ottimo