Review: The Walkmen

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 New York indie-rockers The Walkmen —built from the shambles of Jonathan Fire*Eater—have released three solid records in the last five or so years, the best being 2004’s “Bows + Arrows,” plus the 2006 recreation of Harry Nilsson and John Lennon’s “Pussy Cats” album. Leader Hamilton Leithauser’s often Dylanesque delivery is still ever present on “You & Me,” the band’s brand new album, its best since that 2004 release. A little older now, with a little less swagger and more perspective, Leithauser and crew have grown reflective and, at times, even melancholy—there’s an ache in Leithuaser’s voice, persistent, maybe a little comforting, but representative of a corner turned. “You & Me” isn’t dour by any means—the energy, still high, keeps the mood up—but The Walkmen have definitely made a nice autumn record about aging and watching your friends do the same. Somber, I guess, but really that depends how you look at it. (Tom Lynch)