I'm From Barcelona - "Who Killed Harry Houdini?"


If you know me, you probably know that I listen to a lot of music. Check out my activity stream

Up until now however I’ve never really written about the music that I like. So lets see if we can change that.

My current favorite song is “Paper Planes” from the new album by Swedish pop masters I’m From Barcelona titled “Who Killed Harry Houdini?” The song is catchy, it is short, and it is unquestionably uplifting.

I first started listening to I’m From Barcelona when their previous album came out and spent an entire summer listening to “Treehouse”. When it comes to songs that will put a smile on your face, no matter what mood you might be in when you put the album on these guys know what they’re doing.

Things I like about this song? Well, I’m always a sucker for vocal harmonies and when your band is composed of some 20+ members it is almost like having your own choir. Think Polyphonic Spree, or gospel music. I also really enjoy the use of the clarinet. It is first introduced by the lyrics, “… in his underwear. He plays the clarinet”, followed by a short sweet motif on the clarinet that is then repeated throughout the song. It is the part that gets stuck in my head, that I hum while standing by the water cooler or on my bike ride home.

My only complaint is that I wish this album had come out at the beginning of the summer instead of the end. It would have made a nice soundtrack for summer BBQs.

Overall the album isn’t that much of a departure from their previous album “Let Me Introduce My Friends”, which is both good and bad. I really enjoyed the previous album so it is hard to say no to another similar album, yet at the same time I would have liked to see them try and push the new one a little further.

I like the theme of magicians and houdini which combined with the artwork give an impression of darkness and mystery. I think they could have pushed this idea a little more on the album. Think creepy children’s story like Lemony Snicket, or Strupwell Peter.