CD Review: The Walkmen, 'You & Me'

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THE WALKMEN ARE a band with no textbook definition.

Unlike most New York City rock outfits, they don't have a calling card — you can't always pick their songs out of a lineup like you can with The Strokes or Interpol. Nor do they put out textbook albums, as proven by 2006's fairly random "'Pussy Cats' Starring the Walkmen," a track-for-track, note-for-note cover of the Harry Nilsson and John Lennon 1974 album.

The description that comes closest is urban, lo-fi pop, making their own retro-music-device moniker (http://www.floraberlin.de/soundbag/sbimages/walk.jpg) appropriate.

And if The Walkmen sound a little familiar, it's because the band has roots in D.C. The group formed after the demise of the District-born Jonathan Fire*Eater, most of the members of which attended St. Albans School.

The Walkmen starting putting out solid and even acclaimed albums without ever getting terribly famous. "The Rat" from 2004's "Bows and Arrows" is still a favorite track at hipster parties, and 2006's "A Hundred Miles Off" got some notice mostly for the horn-heavy single "Louisiana," but the band still didn't make many Top 10 lists.

Now, on the heels of a few soundtrack contributions — "Red River" from "Spider-Man 3" and "Brandy Alexander" from "In Bruges" — comes an album that may finally yank The Walkmen out from under the radar: "You & Me" (Gigantic).

The album is "a real bear!" the band has said, not a bad metaphor for a collection of tracks that range from the sleepy, cave-dwelling "Red Moon" to the more frenzied, animalistic "Postcard From Tiny Islands."

"You & Me" is the result of a band now on its fifth album, well on its way to becoming permanent indie fixture but still struggling with the growth it's seeing in itself, like a teenager whose shoes are too small.

The "you" and "me" of the title are adults struggling with grown-up issues but who aren't ready to settle down just yet. It's the story of a journey written with spare guitar and soaring vocals on postcards and luggage tags, the story of people desperately seeking context. Sometimes things are grand and future is bright — there's "good luck 'round every turn / now that I got you" on " Long Time Ahead Of Us," but change is always threatening to tear everything down: "What happened to you?" asks "The Blue Route" plaintively of a once-familiar face.

But despite the occasional twinges of loneliness, sometimes "me" is just fine with "you" — "I got your letter / Thanks for the offer / I really don't need a thing," professes "New Country" with quiet jubilation.

For a New York band, The Walkmen have an unexpected yearning for the countryside and a view of the night sky not obscured by streetlights. Focusing on atmosphere rather than hooks, You & Me is a slow and contemplative ramble around the world, evidence that sometimes you need to go to a faraway place in order to find yourself.

» 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW; with Golem, Sat., Sept. 6, 6:30 p.m., $15; 800-955-5566. (U St.-Cardozo)

Written by Express contributor Afton Lorraine Woodward

» Stream the whole "You & Me" album on The Walkmen's Web site.
» Download four free Leonard Cohen covers by The Walkmen from Daytrotter.

Photo by Greg Harris