The Weight Of Your Love: Deluxe Edition

アルバム2作品連続で全英チャート1位を獲得したUKが誇るモンスター・バンド、エディターズが3年半振りとなる4thアルバムをリリース! 本作は初のイギリス外でのレコーディング作品で、アメリカのテネシー州ナッシュビルにてグラミー賞受賞プロデューサー、ジャックワイア・キング(キングス・オブ・レオン、トム・ウェイツ、ノラ・ジョーンズ他)、ミックスにクレイグ・シルヴィー(アークティック・モンキーズ、フローレンス・アンド・ザ・マシーン他)を起用し、壮大でスケール感のあるロック・アルバムが完成! 全英2位を獲得したデビューアルバム、全英1位を獲得した2作目&3作目を凌ぐ、過去最高傑作! ジャックワイア・キングは過去にトム・ウェイツ『ミュール・バリエーションズ』(99年)、バディ・ガイ『ブルース・シンガー』(03年)、キングス・オブ・レオン『オンリー・バイ・ザ・ナイト』(08年)、更に第52回グラミー賞にてキングズ・オブ・レオン「ユーズ・サムバディ」を"最優秀レコード賞"に導いた最高峰プロデューサー。

The Weight of Your Love is the fourth album from British alt-rock outfit the Editors and their first since the departure of lead guitarist Chris Urbanowicz. Citing American bands R.E.M. and Arcade Fire as influences, the Editors' sound here is straightforward rock with a combination of classic tones and Americana. It was mostly recorded live with producer Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Kings of Leon, Cold War Kids), which complements the warm melodies displayed on the single "A Ton of Love."|

Moving away from the synth-heavy sound of 2009's In This Light and on This Evening, Britain's the Editors return to the more epic, atmospheric guitar-based rock of their debut with 2013's The Weight of Your Love. However, this release is far from repetitive. Certainly, lead singer Tom Smith's baritone croon sounds as authoritative as ever, and the band has lost none of its languid '80s post-punk inclination. But at the same time, there is something less frenetic about the music here that speaks to broader artistic influences and a more mature level of songwriting. Produced by Jacquire King in Nashville, the album has a distinctly organic feel, as if it were recorded in an old theater. Adding to this tactile, less electronic sound is the choice to frame several of the songs in judicious swaths of string orchestration. The result works especially well on the album's handful of ballads, including "What Is This Thing Called Love" and "Honesty," helping them achieve a deeply moving, cinematic quality. The band also delves into several long-form, slow-burn rock epics that are definitely worth your attention, even if their sustained drama plays out at a more sinister pace. Songs like leadoff "The Weight" and "Sugar" are thoughtfully arranged; they take their time to fully engage your adoration. That said, adoration is exactly the emotion evoked by such deliciously addictive pop moments as the lead single, "A Ton of Love," which brings to mind the passionate, soulful rock of U2 and Echo & the Bunnymen. In fact, on "A Ton of Love," Smith chants the word "Desire" as if in direct homage to U2's 1988 single. A grandiose shout-out for sure, but ultimately, a fitting one. ~ Matt Collar

2作連続で全英1位を獲得して波に乗っていた最中、ギタリストが脱退。新メンバー2名を加えた5人体制のもと、3年ぶりに帰ってきましたよ! 今回はUKを離れ、ジャックワイア・キング(キングス・オブ・レオンなど)と初のナッシュヴィル録音を敢行。ホーンを導入したり、裏声を披露したりしながら、アリーナ映え必至のビッグなアメリカン・ロックを鳴らしていて驚きです。ワンリパブリックとかに近い感じ!?
bounce (C)柴田かずえ