The real Maldives may be in danger of being submerged by rising sea levels, but the Seattle group of the same name seems to be heading in the opposite direction. The Maldives' debut album, Listen to the Thunder, heralds the mainstream ascendancy of a promising, rambling, nine-member twang-rock band.
"Time Is Right Now" opens on a forlorn note, but it almost immediately turns sprightly, with touches of violin and pedal steel complementing Jason Dodson's crisp, Neil Young-esque vocals. In no time, the group is waltzing its way to thunderous crashes, heading straight for a full-on gallop in the break before settling into a somber, sober finale.
It's a rare nine-piece band that excels at creating breathing space and break-neck rock in the same song. Like the most graceful and acrobatic of dancers, The Maldives' members know just how to balance the visceral and the delicate.
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