DeViCom CD-Review: Champale

Whenever bands start to embrace a huge range of sounds and styles within a single record, the result is more often very disappointing and shows rather different feeblenesses since they are not able to define their own sound quite often. And in fact, Champale's debut for the Pitch a Tent-label, Simple Days, presents a lot of different styles and characteristics. But on the contrary of other bands Champale's sound skates gently through several directions such as roots or indie rock or the gentle and relaxing chamber pop as well. And that is the band's actual strong point. By switching through the mentioned styles Champale present the listener their strong musical ambitions without leaving the necessary degree or seriousity.
The energy and formula is clearly pronounced and set by the opener "Hard to Be Easy" whose rhythm and dynamics reminds a bit of The Afghan Whigs and their emotive rock. "'68 Comeback" or "Black Telephone" present wonderful and clear arrangments and melodies, provided with a background trumpet. All in all Simple Days presents a unique overall sound. "Like I Do" seem to be the only song presenting kind of a rough offbeat and a fast and highly energetic beat. All in all Simple Days is a fine debut for a band whose future should be saved by such a marvellous start.