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The Secret Handshake: One Full Year |
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Posted by Mark Fisher
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05:04 PM Tuesday, 08 January 2008 |
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 Luis Dubuc, aka The Secret Handshake, has released one of this year's biggest surprises. Coming from virtually nowhere, this collection of songs was recorded by Dubuc in his own home studio. If you are looking for an album that proves you can make a great album without a big budget and a big name studio then here it is. While Justin Timberlake and Beyonce spend millions just on mixing their albums, they could have been spending their money better by buying Dubuc's songs. The Secret Handshake is a clever mix of Emo, Electronica, and Hip-Hop (musically, there is no rapping on the album) relying primarily on the electronic aspect but including minimal piano, drums, and natural vocals.
The album opens with the quiet and introspective tracks "Too Young" and "Summer of '98." On repeated listens they seem to have a lot more movement to them than they do initially but I'd still classify them as "quiet." "Denton, TX" is one of the highlights here for sure. The songwriting is great (I think it would even work acoustic), reminding me of the darker side of Duran Duran (think "The Chauffeur" or "Ordinary World"). "Wanted You" is another surefire hit in waiting, relying on a some pretty cool effects to make it's point. Everything stays pretty low key throughout the rest of the album but Dubuc does occasionally reach out and take some chances, the oddity called "Gamegirl" and the almost-awkward-but-fairly-likable sound of "Make You Mine" being the most noteworthy. The latter sounds like it is trying desperately to be a Hip-Hop song but can't quite figure out how to get to "Electric Avenue."
I have to tell you that this style of album isn't normally my thing. TSH stand out so boldly though that it's nearly impossible not to like. It works when you want something quiet and reflective but it also works when you want something to blast from your stereo while driving down the interstate on a sunny summer day. I'm hard pressed to name a lot of albums that can satisfy both those cravings. TSH is comparable to Imogean Heap, Postal Service, and Hellogoodbye, but will also appeal to fans that loved the heart of eighties new wave pop like Til' Tuesday, early Duran Duran, and mid-career Depeche Mode.
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