Architecture in Helsinki – In Case We Die

Australian octet raids toy box on whimsical sophomore outing

One glance at Architecture in Helsinki’s exhaustive toy box—saws, hammers, strings, horns, sitar, piano, synths of varying circumstance—is overwhelming enough to leave even the most courageous listeners popping fistfuls of preemptive Advil. Still, the band’s impressive sophomore effort, In Case We Die, is just as beguiling for its silence as it is for its noise. A dizzying mélange of structures and styles, In Case We Die is delicate despite being epic, a gentle mix of twee melodies, vocal pileups and twittering instruments. Like any good toddler, Architecture in Helsinki is alternately manic and adorable, gurgling, screaming and making a beautiful mess.