We Are The City – High School

We Are The City released their second studio album this week entitled High School. Overall, this album is much more experimental than their first release, In a Quiet World. The lyrics seem to be about observing friendships and relationships and self-defiance.

High School is filled with abrupt starts and stops amidst the songs, and constant change-ups in tempo that seemed to exude a sort of jazz attitude. The lyrics are observational and conversational giving it a story-telling feel.

The arrangement of the album is precise and effecting; starting strong, progressing nicely and ending calmly and gently.

The first song on this album, “Get Happy” doesn’t follow the regular verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus formula. It sporadically plays with tempo, and brings the listener in nice and close before pushing them back onto their asses. The lyrics are hauntingly beautiful as well.

The second and third tracks are livelier and rockier. Track two “Happy New Year” is more structured and has a danceable beat to it. Undoubtedly my favourite track on the album, and the first track that plays when you visit the band’s Myspace page. Don’t let the first part of track three, “That’s It, That’s All”, fool you. It is angrier and harder than its predecessors.

“Dark/Warm Air” takes the energy built by track three and manipulates it into a more gentle and inspirational anthem style feeling that eludes comradary.

The last two minutes of “1987” include a serene musical interlude which progresses nicely into an intro for the final track, “An Angel in White”; a beautiful song to end with.