The three surfaces of the case for The Incomplete Triangle fold to form an equilateral triangle, and, naturally, the skewed white lines on each surface form a triangle as well. Oh, no-is this another avant-garde, experimental concept album by some art school drop-out? The accompanying biography reads, “Lansing-Dreiden is a company that sees no distinction between art and commerce-or anything else.” Lansing-Dreiden aren’t musicians, foremost, but painters and poets.
If you can put aside your reservations long enough to press play, the album will not disappoint. “Metal on a Gun” opens the album with quick, choppy guitars and several echoing, harmonic voices that combine an overall 80’s vibe with garage rock. The energy continues on the second track, “The Eternal Lie,” a vigorous, driving tune. Next comes “An Uncut Diamond,” a song so fast and frantic it seems to teeter on the edge of chaos.
The middle portion of the album slows down the pace. “A Silent Agreement” is a prodding, atmospheric song filled with synthesizers and distant vocals. “Laid in Stone” is a delicate, melodic tune reminiscent of the Beach Boys. “An Effect of the Night” is another dreamy track filled with a simple keyboard progression and electronic sounds echoing in the background, very similar to Air’s most recent work, Talkie Walkie.
The most intriguing song is “Glass Corridor,” an electro-dance song containing a unique dance beat similar to the Shakira single “Whenever, Wherever” from a few years back. Next follows “I.C.U.,” another dance track with a fast, programmed drum beat, several keyboards and slightly distorted vocals. The remaining two songs continue this fun, energetic pattern, and seem to hint that Lansing-Dreiden would be a great band for a Black Cat dance night.
While Lansing-Dreiden has been compared to Kraftwerk, The Cure and Television, the band finds a way to display these diverse influences and still manages to construct a unique sound. What results is a catchy, energetic and mysterious album that demands to be played again. A wonderful surprise, The Incomplete Triangle is triumph for these musicians and wannabe Renaissance artists.
-Ryan Booth
