Lower Dens - Escape From Evil
6/10
When I recently caught Lower Dens supporting Belle And Sebastian, I liked the music but they just came across as too bored and uninterested to make the live experience truly enjoyable. So I was kinda looking forward to hearing this and it starts well. Suckers Shanghai-La is a great piece of 80s inflected dreampop. Jana Hunter's voice is reminiscent of prime Chrissie Hynde. Musically, there are hints of the Cocteaus and Secret Machines.
Ondine follows in the same vein. As does To Die In LA. And Quo Vardis. And Your Heart Still Beating. And so it goes on and therein lies the problem. As the album playes on, one song becomes indistinguishable from another. The playing is nicely understated, the songs are well thought out but it is all the sonic equivalent to magnolia paint. Not unpleasant, just a little dull, a little samey. No doubt it’ll be a hit with soundtrack compilers and clothing chain in-store radio programmers but I expected and wanted more.
6/10
