Bad Veins

The Mess We’ve Made

Cincinnati chamber-rock duo Bad Veins follow up their much-buzzed-about self-titled 2009 debut with an album that sonically raises the bar. As frontman Ben Davis has noted in recent interviews, the debut’s songs followed pretty much the same format: strings, break it down, go orchestral, rock it out. (Live, Davis and drummer Sebastien Schultz play along with a reel-to-reel filled with instrumental tracks.) Now, auxiliary instruments enjoy their cameo then slink back into a mix that allows more room for the melodies and featured instruments to breathe. The cast of instrumental characters is large, but they’re crisply choreographed, like a Jason Statham fight scene.

Take “Chasing,” one of the album’s best cuts. It opens to a loud bassline accented with piano, drums and flute, as Davis’ laconic baritone sways like a half-lidded Julian Casablancas. Light harmonies join in with strings and piano, leading into a sweeping chorus, another verse and then a break keyed to moody keyboard swells and distant, echoing vocals. It’s a wonderfully crafted piece. Indeed, there’s nothing on the album that isn’t exquisite enough to line a shelf of fine crystal miniatures. Other highlights include the dark, cello-driven obsession of “If Then,” the relatively punchy, new wave-tinged “Nursery Rhyme” and “Not Like You,” arguably the most idiosyncratic track; the latter explores a slinky, horn-abetted, cabaret-flavored strut.

Though it’s clear Davis wants to balance his pop, orchestral and rock influences, The Mess We’ve Made dramatically favors the first two. It’s just difficult to rock very hard with swooping violins and soaring synth parts swirling around the mix. Indeed, the sort of midrange crush of his debut created more propulsion than this finely tempered, carefully wrought work of “art.” It’s not pretentious, but like most art, it’s built more for the mantel where you can regard its many facets; there’s not enough urgency or bristle. A couple more straightforward, less ornate change-of-paces would go a long way toward making this a great album, instead of merely a very good one.

Modern Outsider http://www.modernoutsider.com

“Chasing”