Islands - Return To The Sea (2006)

Throughout the last forty or so years, islands have played an integral part in the development of modern music. First, in 1949, Chris Blackwell - an English man in Jamaica - founded Island Records, which would be home to such musical luminaries as Bob Marley, U2, and, for a short, yet productive time, Tom Waits. Then in 1983, came the Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton country-crossover hit, Islands In The Stream - a rousing love song that paired two of country musics finest, and that is everything a love song should be. Finally, in 2006, Islands, a band from Montreal, Canada, released the excellent Return To The Sea, which, in some strange place in my mind, brought everything full circle.
On Return To The Sea, the two core members of Islands - Nick Diamonds (vocals, guitar) & J'aime Tambour (drums) - enlisted the help of a number musicians to play all manner of instruments (accordian, cello, violin, charrango, flute, organ, etc.) to aid in bringing their eccentric, poptastic tunes to life - and, in this, they most certainly succeeded.
I love when bands have a cracking track as the first song on their album. Islands have done this with the epic opener, Swans (Life After Death). Clocking in at over nine minutes, the song carries you along with its driving beat, and its playful, yet oddly poignant lyrics, before changing time and rocking out at the eight minute mark. Very cool - especially as it is a clear indicator of the quality of music to follow.
Islands mission seems fairly clear: To write clever, intelligent pop music, while never taking themselves too seriously - at least that is the feeling I get from songs such as Don't Call Me Whitney, Bobby - which is another favorite of mine.
Return To The Sea is a great collection of songs that, like any good pop music, makes you feel something real, while also engaging your mind. Obviously, for the most part, this type of pop music is no longer available in the world of commercial radio or television, and so, must be sought elsewhere. Islands is as good a place as any to begin your search.

Check Out: www.myspace.com/islandsareforever