Its been six years since Jimmy Tamborello last visited Dntel, the project that made him a leading composer in the glitch pop market with Life is Full of Possibilities. (It was his collaboration with Death Cab For Cuties Ben Gibbard that led to the partnership we all know and love as the Postal Service.) Dumb Luck finds Tamborello in a similar headspace, however hes drawing much inspiration from the efforts of drummer Chris Hathwell (Moving Units) and guitarist Paul Larson (the Minor Canon). Again, Dntel is as much about the vocal contributors that Tamborello has commissioned and they certainly elevate his songs. Jenny Lewiss tender articulations are accented by the familiar acoustic guitar she often bears, along with the requisite hopping beat and static meddling, and Conor Obersts turn on "Breakfast in Bed sounds like a Bright Eyes remix thanks to his vocal quivering and the off-key note-bending. Mystic Chords of Memory (whose Chris Gunst was featured on Possibilities) returns for the floating ambience of "Dreams, a hypnotic, Eno-esque piece that reaches cloud nine to close out Dumb Luck. Its a consistently meditative and creative space that Tamborello provides, and with a new label and a flattering guest list, Dumb Luck should earn him more respect and establish him as not just "that other guy in the Postal Service.
How do you prioritise your projects?
I usually dont prioritise the projects, I just work on what I feel like working on that day. Sometimes when I get near completion of an album that project will take priority but usually Im open to working on whatever.
Why did it take so long to revisit Dntel?
Ive been working on this album off and on since I finished the last one. I went through a lot of things that slowed down its completion: I worked on three full-lengths, did lots of remixes and other random projects. Plus, I had a lot of writers block and watched a lot of movies and TV.
Why all of the guest vocals?
At first I wanted this album to be all me but I quickly ran into a wall trying to think up lyrics and dealing with the limitations of my voice. Plus, I like to have an excuse to work with other people who make music that I like. And its nice to not be in charge of every single element of each song, to have some surprises supplied by someone else.
Do you find the Postal Services success overshadows your other projects?
I dont really care. Even if the other projects get overshadowed a little theres still way more attention paid to everything I do because of the Postal Service.
(Sub Pop)How do you prioritise your projects?
I usually dont prioritise the projects, I just work on what I feel like working on that day. Sometimes when I get near completion of an album that project will take priority but usually Im open to working on whatever.
Why did it take so long to revisit Dntel?
Ive been working on this album off and on since I finished the last one. I went through a lot of things that slowed down its completion: I worked on three full-lengths, did lots of remixes and other random projects. Plus, I had a lot of writers block and watched a lot of movies and TV.
Why all of the guest vocals?
At first I wanted this album to be all me but I quickly ran into a wall trying to think up lyrics and dealing with the limitations of my voice. Plus, I like to have an excuse to work with other people who make music that I like. And its nice to not be in charge of every single element of each song, to have some surprises supplied by someone else.
Do you find the Postal Services success overshadows your other projects?
I dont really care. Even if the other projects get overshadowed a little theres still way more attention paid to everything I do because of the Postal Service.