Having begun their career as perfectly fine but, for me,
fairly unremarkable Arcade Fire wannabes, LA’s Bodies of Water –
led by married couple Meredith and David Metcalf – pivot somewhat on album 5,
towards something more interesting. Is This What It’s Like embraces a
mix of vibrancy and melancholy, with minimal lo-fi folk jostling with prancing
fiddle (‘Never Call Me Again’), vibraphones (‘Back in the Canyon’, ‘Women in
Love’) and Kate Bush style bombast (‘The One I Loved Too Much’). David
Metcalf’s voice has the dark resonance of Nick Cave, adding grandeur to
everything, whereas Meredith brings the passion. It’s all quite earnest, but
never so much so that it cloys. The residue of that Arcade Fire/Broken
Social Scene/et al influence is still there, especially on the likes
of ‘I Knew Your Brother’ and (album best) closer ‘Illuminate Yourself’, but now
it is just one string to the bow and feels earned. Overall, Is This What
It’s Like is a big step up.