The Wake

Igloo is a side-project of Adam Pierce and Doro Tachler of Mice Parade. With eight whimsical tracks delicately simmered with shimmering atmospherics, carefree counterpoints and the occasional vocal stint, the duo’s self-titled debut is one warm, modest mouse of an album. The album is so warm, in fact, that even the songs in the minor key evoke that fuzzy feeling. Picture a baby chimp with a bib, and you’re halfway there. And it doesn’t hurt that Igloo uses its tonal charm like a flirtation device; you can’t help but blush while listening to it. But you also can’t shake the underlying feeling that this album is essentially a tease. It seems Igloo is more content to practice restraint than go out on a limb and, as such, offers only mere glimpses of brilliance. Their timid approach hinders themselves from making the leap from one-time usage to essential status. There are far too many albums that rely on this acoustic-guitar/psychedelic engagement for Igloo to truly stand out from the drove. With fade-outs and aimless, repetitive floundering, a sense of transience overrides any real lasting quality that the album may have possessed. The potential is certainly there, but it remains at this point untapped. However, if you’re looking for music that will make you reflect back on your childhood with optimistic-goggles, this one’s for you.