With 2007's 23, it seemed that Blonde Redhead had hit their stride, hit that magical spot where everything converged. Unfortunately, they may be a little overenamored with the idea of change for change's sake, and the result is 2010's Penny Sparkle. If you come to this LP unfamiliar with their previous work I have to guess it would be easy to warm up to, but if you are a fan of long standing, the apparent trajectory is disappointing. This would be due less to the fact that the quality of the songwriting on Penny Sparkle is sub-par (which, by their standards, it is), and more because they appear to be painting themselves into a corner. At the rate they're going, I might expect their next release to visit well-worn ambient territory. And the problem with that of course is simple - it's old hat. It's been done. They're capable of so much more. I want to see these guys go where no one's gone before, I'm just not sure they have it in them.
The best song off Penny Sparkle: Here Sometimes.
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