Album Review: The Pastels - Slow Summits

Slow Summits, the first album of original material from The Pastels in over 15 years, probably won't grab you on first listen – and it's not supposed to. This is a project all about mood and looking at the big picture, not the brush strokes used to create it. Opening track Secret Music sets the tone immediately, with the reprise “sing a song quietly” almost like a mission statement for what's to follow. 'Beautiful' and 'atmospheric' are the kinds of words that come to mind listening to Slow Summits, but the problem with beautiful and atmospheric is it can just wash over you, having no real discernible impact.

This focus on lush, sweeping soundscapes works best when drummer Katrina Mitchell assumes vocal duties. Her voice is a perfect match for the mood set by the subtle instrumentation and restrained mood overarching the album. Standout track Check My Heart even increases the fun and peppiness quota for the most enjoyable song on Slow Summits. The rare missteps, however, come down to the vocals of guitarist Stephen McRobbbie. Summer Rain and The Wrong Light both sound like a parody of this kind of band. The key is just wrong enough for McRobbie's register to make it sound like a piss-take.

All muted trumpets, twee guitars and even the occasional pan pipe, there are no hooks or any real memorable moments to grab onto and make you take notice. But that's okay; this isn't that kind of album. All of a sudden, 40 minutes are gone and Slow Summits' last track is fading out. You might not remember much, but you'll have a nice, warm feeling.