When they released their second album, In Case We Die, two years ago, Architecture In Helsinki received the dubious honour of being dubbed “the Australia Arcade Fire,” which makes them sound like some kind of tribute band. The truth is, they tap into the same creative well as bands like the Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene, which we can probably attribute to Beck (if only for ease).

Places We Go sees the group bring their electronic side out to the fore and perform each song with the enthusiasm of a four year old full of sugar. The result of the latter is that there is a tendency for the vocals to come out sounding a bit like Fraggles at times. The former means that Arcade Fire comparison becomes slightly more difficult to make, as in come Depeche Mode and Talking Heads influences to bear some of the burden.

Although this album is very different to its predecessor, Architecture In Helsinki should have done enough to take the majority of their fans with them. But be prepared for a more intense experience, one where the band play at you instead of to you.

Label: Cooperative Music / V2
Website: www.architectureinhelsinki.com
Release date: 13th August 2007

Tracklist:

1. Red Turned White
2. Heart It Races
3. Hold Music
4. Feather In A Baseball Cap
5. Underwater
6. Like It Or Not
7. Debbie
8. Lazy (Lazy)
9. Nothing’s Wrong
10. Same Old Innocence