Speak

Pedals (Playing in Traffic)

Speak’s 2011 debut showcased 10-foot-tall anthems that swirled with synth hooks and big ideas. The local foursome’s follow-up, Pedals, further proves their penchant for the grandiose, delivering a sonic blowout as large as it is entrancing. “Mystery Lights” and “Gates” lead off like the dance-floor apocalypse, leaving a big impression before lapsing into a pleasant blur of pulsing, sad-kid shuffle beats. Deeper in, the nuances of Pedals emerge in “Modern Art,” which deconstructs an Eighties, joie-de-vivre chorus and pieces it back together over a drum snap. “Be Reasonable, Diane” explores a different part of the same decade, drawing from the infectious-but-controlled camp of Tears for Fears that will bounce around in your head long after the song fades. On Pedals, Speak is dreaming – and delivering – big.

***.5

This article appears in August 8 • 2014.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US