“The things that I like to read are generally abstract. I like patterns, I like reading poetry and avant-garde prose and I’m more interested in musical patterns in literature than I am in long-form narratives. I look at paintings and try to visualise an object or image, then assimilate how that makes me feel into a series of phrases and try to make it musical.”

Anyone rolling their eyes yet? Yeah, I was, too. But here’s the thing – when you make music as brilliant and mind-blowing as White Denim does, when all the crap spouted about making “abstract” music is actually legit, you can say whatever the hell you want, no matter how hipster/snotty/condescending it sounds. Especially when you’re right about it. That’s the lesson White Denim teaches us with “Last Day Of Summer.”

White Denim has often misleadingly been labelled a garage-rock band – maybe technically, maybe originally, maybe at first glance they are a garage-rock band. But at the core of it all, the band is made up of great musicians and songwriters with a knack for hardcore creativity that crosses the boundaries of traditional genres and styles. When listening to “Last Day Of Summer,” you have no idea what in the world is going on except that whatever it is, you’re loving it. That’s where the abstract notion that Petralli was talking about kicks in. The music on “Last Day Of Summer” is most definitely abstract, yet on the whole the tracks all manage to maintain a traditional song structure – to pull off a feat like that and still have your music be painfully appealing is really quite something.

The album begins with a different version of the “Fits” song “I’d Have It Just The Way We Were.” The song wastes no time in starting and the slow harmonies flowing against the intricate and upbeat percussion introduce the beautiful idée fixe that resonates in every song to follow. “Home Together” goes along with this notion, what with the rapid backbeat against the traditional pop melody making a fantastic combination. The jazzy instrumental “Incaviglia” is mysterious and light, which actually turns out to be an apt description, for it leads into the beautiful chaos of “Light Light Light.” The latter employs a bossanova-type beat, the hypnotizing repetition of the word “light” playing in the background against the wild sax making for a truly psychedelic experience. In the middle, the song takes a breather and goes for a more basic execution of the music, but it’s not long before the song picks up again. Listening to that song, you start wondering what it was that you smoked before listening to the album and it’s not until the song is over that you realize that you’re (strangely) sober.

The dreamy, faraway feel of “Our Get,” the layered, smooth R&B/soul sailing of “Shy Billy,” and the silky and pensive “Through Your Windows” reinforce the abstract notions of the music, creating unique atmospheres for each song. In “Through Your Windows” the music is put front and center and the vocals almost sound like a mere accompaniment to the music instead of the other way around. “If You’re Changing” is an example of White Denim’s skills as musicians; the song has a bluesy feel that plays against a country-ish rhythm, and is soaked in a little bit of R&B. It picks up pace in the middle yet still keeps the country twang while emphasizing the R&B sound. How the hell is this even possible? Talk about an awesome song. Same goes for “Champ” and “Some Going Outward.” The former takes a dreamy, psychedelic route similar to “Light Light Light”; the chorus yanks the song in a different direction for a short break before bringing everything back to the off-kilter amazingness that the song started off with. “Some Going Outward” is also a great example of the effectiveness of White Denim’s musical technique. Had this song had an extremely simple drum beat, it would have still been a good song. But instead of keeping things simple, White Denim chooses to up the ante. In place of traditionality, the track contrasts easy vocals against quick tempoed music, bringing to life the unlikely marriage of frenzy and serenity that lingers throughout the album and creates an ambiance of an exciting calm. The record closes with the upbeat “New Coat,” which sounds like a Strokes song put through a White Denim blender (that’s a good thing), the perfect comedown for one hell of a musical trip.

“Last Day Of Summer” is a collection of previously unreleased songs from the White Denim catalogue, put together in a single remarkable album. For fans of acid blues, garage-rock, Americana, experimental/psychedelic rock, ‘abstract’ sounds, or just plain good music, “Last Day Of Summer” is a must-have. White Denim is one of those rare bands that can deliver on their seemingly pretentious speech, and that is enough to make any neophyte to their music a full on proper fan. They prove that it’s not pretentious if you can back it up, and being the plethora of talent that they are, White Denim can most definitely back it up. Fans will most definitely appreciate the latest effort and this album also serves as a great starting point for prospective fans, for “Last Day Of Summer” successfully delivers a kind of musical magic so intense that you’ll find yourself getting addicted to being on White Denim in no time.

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