Ages and Ages Find Optimism Among the Decay On "Something to Ruin"

By Shannon Gormley

[NOTHING BUT FLOWERS] The first time you hear vocals on Ages and Ages' third album, Something to Ruin, you might think the band has a new lead singer. It doesn't—it's just that Tim Perry sings most of this album sounding like he just woke up. Instead of the crisp pop of 2014's Divisionary, the band has found a newly organic sound, built from twinkling guitars, tambourines and even some feedback. To borrow the metaphor depicted on the album's cover, the sound of Ages and Ages is like flowers growing out of modern ruins. So if you're tuning in for the band's signature resilient optimism, you won't have to wait very long. The album kicks off with Perry singing, "If they want more than what you wanna give 'em/ It's all right" on euphoric opener "They Want More," which displays the band's remarkably effective ability to write a self-help tip that gets stuck in your head. The band's existential optimism leans a little heavier on the existential side this time around, and the tone is more laid-back than upbeat. Even so, there's unabashed hope nestled in every song. That's still the best part of any Ages and Ages album: The band will reassure you that whatever it is you're doing, you're doing all right.

SEE IT: Ages and Ages play Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi Ave., with Chris Pureka, on Saturday, Sept. 3. 6 pm (all ages) and 9 pm (21+). $13 advance, $15 day of show.

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