Sound Kapital
{{Infobox album
| name = Sound Kapital
| type = studio
| artist = Handsome Furs
| cover =Sound Kapital.jpg
| alt =
| released = June 28, 2011
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
- Hotel2Tango, Montreal, Quebec
- Kaiku Studios, Helsinki
| genre = Electropunk
| length = 40:13
| label = Sub Pop
| producer =
| prev_title = Face Control
| prev_year = 2009
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
Sound Kapital is the third studio album by Canadian indie rock duo Handsome Furs. It was released through Sub Pop Records on June 28, 2011. According to a press release, Sound Kapital is inspired by the electronic and industrial music of 1980s Eastern Europe and it is the first album that Dan Boeckner wrote entirely on keyboards, although most songs do include guitars.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/42171-handsome-furs-announce-new-album/|title=Handsome Furs Announce New Album|website=Pitchfork|last=Breihan|first=Tom|date=April 12, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=August 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823214739/https://pitchfork.com/news/42171-handsome-furs-announce-new-album/|url-status=live}}
The album was named as a shortlisted nominee for the 2012 Polaris Music Prize on July 17, 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2012/06/14/polaris_prize_long_list_includes_lots_of_toronto_bands.html|title=Polaris Prize long list includes lots of Toronto bands|work=Toronto Star|last=Mudhar|first=Raju|date=June 14, 2012|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=November 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103215956/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2012/06/14/polaris_prize_long_list_includes_lots_of_toronto_bands.html|url-status=live}}
Production
Sound Kapital was recorded at the Handsome Furs' studio in Montreal, Canada, before being produced by Howard Bilerman and Arlen Thompson at Hotel2Tango.{{cite web|url=https://www.subpop.com/releases/handsome_furs/sound_kapital|title=Sound Kapital by Handsome Furs|publisher=Sub Pop|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=August 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823214800/https://www.subpop.com/releases/handsome_furs/sound_kapital|url-status=live}}
Release
On April 12, 2011, Handsome Furs announced they were releasing their third studio album Sound Kapital.{{cite web|url=http://onethirtybpm.com/news/handsome-furs-announce-new-album-download-a-track-from-it/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828064056/http://onethirtybpm.com/news/handsome-furs-announce-new-album-download-a-track-from-it/|title=Handsome Furs announce new album|website=Beats Per Minute|last=Hakimian|first=Rob|date=April 12, 2011|archive-date=August 28, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021}}
=Singles=
The first single from Sound Kapital was "What About Us", and released on April 12, 2011, the same day as the album release announcement. Musician Diamond Rings remixed the track for his remix series Remix Rainbows.{{cite web|url=http://onethirtybpm.com/media/mp3-handsome-furs-what-about-us-diamond-rings-remix/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909120330/http://onethirtybpm.com/media/mp3-handsome-furs-what-about-us-diamond-rings-remix/|title=Handsome Furs – "What About Us" (Diamond Rings remix)|website=Beats Per Minute|last=Cosores|first=Philip|date=June 15, 2011|archive-date=September 9, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021}}
On May 20, 2011, the second track "Repatriated" was released.{{cite web|url=http://onethirtybpm.com/media/mp3-handsome-furs-repatriated-plus-check-out-nsfw-album-cover/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828084933/http://onethirtybpm.com/media/mp3-handsome-furs-repatriated-plus-check-out-nsfw-album-cover/|title=Handsome Furs - Repatriated|website=Beats Per Minute|last=Hakimian|first=Rob|date=May 20, 2011|archive-date=August 28, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2011/05/check-out-handsome-furs-repatriated-their-nsfw-album-cover/|title=Handsome Furs' "Repatriated" + their NSFW album cover|website=Consequence of Sound|last=Young|first=Alex|date=May 20, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190718/https://consequence.net/2011/05/check-out-handsome-furs-repatriated-their-nsfw-album-cover/|url-status=live}}
=Music videos=
The music video for "What About Us" was released on July 8, 2011, and was directed by Scott Coffey.{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2011/07/video-handsome-furs-what-about-us-nsfw/|title=Video: Handsome Furs – "What About Us"|website=Consequence of Sound|last=Coplan|first=Chris|date=July 8, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190026/https://consequence.net/2011/07/video-handsome-furs-what-about-us-nsfw/|url-status=live}}
Tour
In support of the album, Handsome Furs went on a tour of North American and Europe, starting on April 14, 2011, at The Bell House in Brooklyn, New York, and finished on May 22, 2011, at the Konsertforeningen Betong venue in Oslo, Norway.{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2011/04/handsome-furs-announce-new-record-sound-kapital/|title=Handsome Furs announce new record, Sound Kapital|website=Consequence of Sound|last=Coplan|first=Chris|date=April 14, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185409/https://consequence.net/2011/04/handsome-furs-announce-new-record-sound-kapital/|url-status=live}} The duo announced more tours on May 20, 2011, for Canada and midwest United States, making appearances at North by Northeast,{{cite web|url=https://ryan-bolton.com/2011/06/20/nxne-showcases/|title=NXNE Showcases|publisher=Ryan-bolton.com|date=June 20, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|last=Bolton|first=Ryan|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184629/https://ryan-bolton.com/2011/06/20/nxne-showcases/|url-status=live}} 80/35 Music Festival{{cite web|url=https://www.qromag.com/8035_2011_festival_preview/|title=80/35 2011 Festival Preview|work=QRO Magazine|date=June 27, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184828/https://www.qromag.com/8035_2011_festival_preview/|url-status=live}} and Capitol Hill Block Party.{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2011/05/handsome-furs-announce-summer-tour/|title=Handsome Furs announce summer tour|website=Consequence of Sound|last=Young|first=Alex|date=May 20, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.seattlemet.com/arts-and-culture/2011/06/capitol-hill-block-party-lineup-for-2011-june-2011|title=Capitol Hill Block Party Lineup for 2011|publisher=Seattle Metropolitan|last=Scherziner|first=Julia|date=June 1, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190004/https://www.seattlemet.com/arts-and-culture/2011/06/capitol-hill-block-party-lineup-for-2011-june-2011|url-status=live}}
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
|MC = 75/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/sound-kapital/handsome-furs|title=Metacritic Review|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710013149/https://www.metacritic.com/music/sound-kapital/handsome-furs|url-status=live}}
|rev1 = AllMusic
|rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/sound-kapital-mw0002145551|title=AllMusic Review|publisher=AllMusic|last=Lymangrover|first=Jason|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185357/https://www.allmusic.com/album/sound-kapital-mw0002145551|url-status=live}}
|rev2 = The A.V. Club
|rev2score = B−{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/handsome-furs-sound-kapital-1798168669|title=The A.V. Club Review|website=The A.V. Club|last=Hyden|first=Steven|date=June 28, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185239/https://www.avclub.com/handsome-furs-sound-kapital-1798168669|url-status=live}}
|rev3 = Beats Per Minute
|rev3score = 67%{{cite web|url=http://onethirtybpm.com/reviews/album-review-handsome-furs-sound-kapital/|title=BPM Review|website=Beats Per Minute|last=Cosores|first=Phillip|date=June 30, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=September 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903194254/http://onethirtybpm.com/reviews/album-review-handsome-furs-sound-kapital/|url-status=live}}
|rev4 = Consequence of Sound
|rev4score = B{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2011/06/album-review-handsome-furs-sound-kapital/|title=Consequence of Sound Review|website=Consequence of Sound|last=Brown|first=Harley|date=June 21, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190816/https://consequence.net/2011/06/album-review-handsome-furs-sound-kapital/|url-status=live}}
|rev5 = DIY
|rev5score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://diymag.com/archive/handsome-furs-sound-kapital|title=DIY Magazine Review|work=DIY|last=O'Malley|first=Gareth|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710223434/https://diymag.com/archive/handsome-furs-sound-kapital|url-status=live}}
|rev6 = Drowned in Sound
|rev6score = 7/10{{cite web|url=https://drownedinsound.com/releases/16320/reviews/4142999|title=Drowned in Sound Review|website=Drowned in Sound|last=Ashman|first=Neil|date=June 27, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185037/https://drownedinsound.com/releases/16320/reviews/4142999|url-status=dead}}
|rev7 = NME
|rev7score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-handsome-furs-12154-312379|title=NME Review|website=NME|last=Webb|first=Rob|date=June 21, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190428/https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-handsome-furs-12154-312379|url-status=live}}
|rev8 = Now
|rev8score = {{Rating|4|5|full=Red N.png|empty=Blank N.PNG|rating=N}}{{cite web|url=https://nowtoronto.com/handsome-furs-sound-kapital|title=Now Review|work=Now|last=Keller|first=Jason|date=June 9, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190051/https://nowtoronto.com/handsome-furs-sound-kapital|url-status=live}}
|rev9 = Paste
|rev9score = 7.5/10{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/handsome-furs/handsome-furs-sound-kapital/|title=Paste Magazine Review|work=Paste|last=Kszystyniak|first=Andrea|date=June 28, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185957/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/handsome-furs/handsome-furs-sound-kapital/|url-status=live}}
|rev10 = Pitchfork
|rev10score = 8.1/10{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15579-sound-kapital/|title=Pitchfork Review|website=Pitchfork|last=Berman|first=Stuart|date=June 29, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184847/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15579-sound-kapital/|url-status=live}}
}}
Sound Kapital was met with "generally favorable" reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an average score of 75 based on 19 reviews. Aggregate website AnyDecentMusic? gave the release a 7.2 out of 10 based on a critical consensus of 12 reviews.
In a review for AllMusic, critic reviewer Jason Lymangrover wrote: "Sound Kapital was inspired by the last two years of traveling Asia. Aspects of J-pop and K-pop seem to have permeated their mindset, since, as an electronic duo, everything is light, peppy, straight-ahead, and modern-sounding, often to the point of sounding inhuman." At The A.V. Club, Steven Hyden explained: "Sound Kapital consists mainly of catchy, mid-tempo rock songs where majestic guitar solos and atmospheric keyboard swishes swoop in from mid-'80s U2 and Tears For Fears records." Harley Brown of Consequence of Sound reviewed the album: "Sound Kapital exemplifies form mirroring content and vice versa. The electro-industrial synthesizers and drum machines convey the Handsome Furs' lyrical convictions better than the band's earlier, less bombastic combinations of synths and guitar. Boeckner's tenuous voice sounds at home bouncing off Perry's grungy beats, and the two unleash their potential behind the keyboards." At Drowned in Sound, Neil Ashman described the album as "a successful, if slightly creatively stifling refinement of a fruitful and unique musical partnership."
Writing for Rolling Stone, writer Doree Shafrir wrote: "Boeckner and his wife Alexei Perry's danceable electronic-pop sound belies the album's often melancholy themes of love, self-discovery and rebirth. Sweaty and urgent, Sound Kapital is a snapshot of a dark world with hard-fought glimmers of euphoria."{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/sound-kapital-123216/|title=Rolling Stone Review|work=Rolling Stone|last=Shafrir|first=Doree|date=June 28, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190342/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/sound-kapital-123216/|url-status=live}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
|headline=Sound Kapital track listing
|title1=When I Get Back
|length1=4:42
|title2=Damage
|length2=3:18
|title3=Bury Me Standing
|length3=4:05
|title4=Memories of the Future
|length4=3:45
|title5=Serve the People
|length5=4:06
|title6=What About Us
|length6=5:16
|title7=Repatriated
|length7=4:48
|title8=Cheap Music
|length8=3:04
|title9=No Feelings
|length9=7:00
}}
{{Track listing
|headline=iTunes bonus track{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/sound-kapital-bonus-track-version/439333898|title=Sound Kapital (Bonus Track Version) by Handsome Furs|publisher=Apple Music|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711132914/https://music.apple.com/ca/album/sound-kapital-bonus-track-version/439333898|url-status=live}}
|title10=Agony
|length10=4:50
}}
Personnel
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Musicians
- Dan Boeckner – vocals
- Alexei Perry – keyboard
- Radwan Ghazi Moumneh – vocals
{{col-2}}
Production
- Howard Bilerman – producer, engineer
- Arlen Thompson – producer, engineer
- Harris Newman – mastering
- Antti Joas – mixing
- Jonas Verwijnen – mixing
{{col-end}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.spin.com/2011/06/album-premiere-handsome-furs-sound-kapital/ Free Listen] at Spin
- [https://www.subpop.com/releases/handsome_furs/sound_kapital Sound Kapital] at Sub Pop Records
- {{Discogs master|357349|type=album}}
- {{MusicBrainz release group|mbid=27f2040b-016a-4ee3-812b-3021f31d5231|name=Sound Kapital}}
{{Authority control}}