The Lil' Hospital - "Me & My Beatbox" cs  (Popgun)
Here's a nice little tape with four lo-fi catchy songs with electric guitars, bass, drum machine, and some casio (and a great chorus of trumpets in "Pet Rock"). It's amateurish sounding at times (especially the vocals), but still endearing all the same. The recording actually sounds pretty good, too, as it's not too bassy. This is some quality bedroom pop in the vein of Park or Oval-Teen.   MTQ=4/4

The Lil' Hospital - "Pretty Kissin'" cs  (Popgun)
This is Kevin's second tape for Popgun, and it's a nice, short batch of home-recorded fuzzy pop goodness! These three songs are catchy bedroom pop, similar to the Bright Ideas & Bright Lights, with jangly guitars, fuzzy distorted bass, and casio melodies played with a drum machine. It's fun to play with the balance while listening to this, as Kevin panned the bass and casio on the left, and the guitar and drums on the right! If I ever used headphones, it'd be that much more enjoyable!   MTQ=3/3

The Lil' Hospital - "I Wanna Be Well" cd  (Best Friends)
Following a few cassette releases, this is the first full-length disc from Lil' Hospital. Recorded at home by Kevin (though the line-up has since been expanded for live performances), the album was mixed with Jayme of the Snow Fairies (who also added some embellishments, along with bandmate Melissa and Raoul from Popgun), which gives the album a much better sound than the previous cassettes. Sounding like a mix of Holiday, the Bright Lights and Oval-Teen, this cd is full of short and peppy tunes (in fact, no song is over 2½ minutes long!), with favorites including "Kampus & Katy", "Oh My Days" and "Hugless". Like the earlier recordings, there are still some traces of amateurism (a botched vocal line here, an out of tune guitar there), but Kevin has definitely improved overall.   MTQ=10/11

The Lil' Hospital - "Heavy Metal" cd  (Total Gaylord)
The Lil' Hospital have released a few tapes and a full-length cd since 2000, but this is the first release to feature the full band that Kevin assembled for live performances a few years ago. It's also the band's finest record yet, with better recording quality and playing overall. And with the addition of other band members come instrumental additions not heard on previous releases, including violin and real drums (usually played with brushes). Other than that, though, the songs haven't changed drastically - Kevin's still writing short and catchy pop songs in the vein of Oval-Teen and the Sprites, with lyrics that generally fall on the light-hearted and silly side (see "I'm A Little Hospital" or "Office Rock"), sometimes reminding me of Jonathan Richman. An excellent record for playing on warm summer days!   MTQ=11/12

The Lil' Hospital - "Universe Sucks EP" 7"  (Hugpatch)
The universe sucks indeed - how cruel for us to watch a band like Lil' Hospital go from a nice bedroom pop project to a good pop band to a veritable indiepop powerhouse, only to have them break up right at their prime. And we only get a measly 5-song EP on the way out! Well, for a band's final release, this is a pretty damn amazing way to go, and the best I've heard since that last Racetrack EP. Lil' Hospital have improved in every way: Kevin's songs and playing are both better, and the band (now a trio, rounded out by Mat Specific Heats and Frank Besties) are tighter and punchier than ever. Who knows, maybe it is time for Lil' Hospital to break up - but only if we get another band from the new and improved Kevin Alvir. And, hey, if it contained the same lineup, I certainly wouldn't complain about that either...   MTQ=5/5

Linda Guilala - "Nada Que Contar EP" cdep  (no label)
A-ha, I was fooled! All those times I professed my love for this Linda Guilala, it was not a girl, but a band I was smitten for! Thanks to a couple raves about the delightful songs found on recent comps on Valiant Death and My Honey Records, I received the band's two self-released cdeps (of which this is the most recent). And now that I've learned a bit about them, I see exactly why they're so good - half of them used to be in Juniper Moon, one of the best punky-twee pop groups in Spain! These songs are a lot less punky than those of their previous band, with the new band following the lead of their amigas, Vacaciones, and slowing down a bit and reminding me more of Tender Trap than Talulah Gosh. There's a lot of emphasis on the keyboards in a few of the songs, with some of the organ melodies reaching Felt-ish proportions. Not surprisingly, Elefant has already signed this band, so keep an eye out for more from them soon!   MTQ=5/5

Lasse Lindh - "You Wake Up At Sea Tac" cd  (Hidden Agenda)
After hearing Lasse's song, "Bruised", on the most recent Parasol "Sweet Sixteen" comp, I was very curious to hear this, his new full length. Well, this disc also starts out with "Bruised", as if to remind me of why I wanted to listen to the album in the first place, and it doesn't let up from there. Many of the songs are in the same style: very grand sounding music (with a very prominent drum sound), with Lasse's whispered vocals mixed right upfront. At times, it actually kinda sounds mainstream, like Radiohead or something, but more in the production than the songs. I mean, some songs, like "Damage Done", just sound HUGE, even though there's not a lot going on in the song. And though the music may not always reflect it, the mood of this album is very down and melancholic, due to the lyrics. And while I like many of the songs, there are a few that are kind of slow and boring. I really like Lasse's voice and his unmistakable Swedish accent (which reminds me a bit of Tony of the Leslies). You may remember him from his guest lead vocals on Club 8's hit from last year, "Keeping Track Of Time". Also, this domestic version of "You Wake Up At Sea Tac" (originally released in Sweden On Labrador) contains three bonus tracks.   MTQ=10/13

The Linger Effect - "Charmer" cd  (My Mean Magpie)
Although it was written and recorded a couple years ago, this album didn't get released until this year. It's also one of the first full-length albums available for free download from the label (which is halfway done with the project of making the majority of its catalog available, as well), though you can also get the album on cd (well, cd-r), complete with proper artwork (call me old-fashioned, but that's the way I prefer it!). If I remember correctly, I think this is the second album from the Linger Effect, after a cassette on Best Kept Secret. A solo project from a Canadian fellow named Kent Burt, the sound is a mixture of the atmospheric electronic pop of Simpatico (or maybe Other Peoples' Children is a bit closer) and the off-kilter style of Mark Robinson. Guitars are occasionally used, but synths are more prevalent, as is a drum machine, naturally. There are a few times where the music gets a little too weird for me, but when he plays pop songs (like "On Air" and "I Am A Watercolour"), it's just perfect.   MTQ=8/12

Linus Of Hollywood - "Triangle" cd  (Franklin Castle)
I'm not really much of a soft-rocker, but I do enjoy a good soft rock record when I hear one like this. Linus has made a name for himself throughout Hollywood, working with rock stars and writing songs for movies, but on his records, he takes control and does things his own way, with some help from friends on various stringed and wind instruments. Most of the album is composed of piano-based tunes in the vein of Todd Rundgren or Paul McCartney, ranging from the peppy "Let's Just Stay In Bed All Day" to the grandiose "The Sun Feels Good On My Face", but he pulls out the guitar in a few places, like the slower "I'll Get Through It" or the excellent, almost power-poppy "Do You Know What I'm Thinking?". A couple of the songs seem a bit too glossy to me (or even cheesy, in the case of "How Do I Do It Every Day?"), but for the most part, I enjoyed the record.   MTQ=8/11

Lionheart Brothers - "White Angel Black Apple" cd  (Sally Forth)
After a couple of 7" releases, this is the debut full length from this Norwegian group. Harkening back to the 90s' noisy shoegaze pop sound, this album reminds me a lot of groups like Pale Saints, Electro Group, the Melody Unit, and of course, My Bloody Valentine. "The Sun In My Eyes" even sounds a bit like Versus (especially the vocals). In these songs, you'll find layers and layers of guitars, organs and vocals making dense, but very melodic, music. Typical for the genre, the vocals are pretty buried in the mix, but you can occasionally make out lyrics. The lead singer is male, though the backing vocals are fairly androgynous enough, that at times you can't even tell! Many of the songs have a terrific driving beat, which gives the record a very immediate feel. Unfortunately, the last two songs on the album ("An Elephant Job" & "Horse Transform Unicorn") aren't all that interesting to me; the former being more atmospheric and the latter just being too damn long! Still, the first ¾ of the record are certainly gripping enough to make this pretty instantly enjoyable!   MTQ=6/8

Little My - "Little My's Sixth" cdep  (Little Pocket)
My introduction to Little My wasn't so hot, as I remember thinking they were far too amateurish for me when I first heard them. This EP, however, shows a lot of promise for the band, particularly thanks to the rather pleasant opening track, "All But The Beeps Meep". It's got a playful feeling to it, thanks to the meepy guitars in the verses, but the pedal steel throughout gives it an added level of seriousness somehow, providing the song with great balance. The next song, "Ruining Things Like Everything", is my other favorite song on the EP and kinda reminds me of something from the first Architecture In Helsinki record. I was a bit suspicious of "Kicking People On Pavements" when it started, due to the out of tune/time intro, but the song proper is decent, though I can't say the same for the irritating a capella "Excuse Me, It's Springtime!". I do still love their artwork, though...   MTQ=3/4

Little Name - "How To Swim And Live" cd  (Sleepy)
This solo project from Liverpudlian Lee Barker was featured as a Demo of the Week a couple years back, which (and this is the primary reason why I started that section of the site) helped Lee meet Ann from Sleepy Records who jumped at the chance to release this debut album of theirs! The dozen songs on this record combine the bedroom pop sound of bands like the Pocketbooks (with whom he shares a number of similarities) and the lush, orchestral style of Camera Obscura and Burt Bacharach (both of which are the most obvious of his influences). The recording quality is certainly closer to the former, although the quality of the songwriting is arguably comparable to the latter. And above these mostly sunny pop songs, lie lyrics laced with lost love, loneliness and despair, but with a slight hint of hope showing through every now and again. A fine debut that is as delightful as it is heartbreaking!   MTQ=11/12

Llama - "s/t" cd  (no label)
This disc has very little information on it whatsoever - just a minimal cover and the song titles and a llama icon on the back - but in the few credits printed inside, the one thing you need to notice is that this is the new band from Seattle stalwart, Rusty Willoughby (you know, the main guy behind Flop & Pure Joy, drummer for the Fastbacks, etc). Some of the songs on this album aren't as instantly catchy as the ones you'd find on the Flop albums of the early 90s (I do wonder what he's been up to since then), but there are still quite a few shining moments, like "Alright", "Shape In The Clouds" and "C'mon C'mon", although it takes the album a few songs to pick up from a slow start. In fact, many of the songs on this album remind me quite a bit of Spoon - from the afore-mentioned peppy "C'mon C'mon" to the moody "It's OK" - and that's a band whose records I've always found take a few listens to fully appreciate. Always good to hear from Rusty, no matter what moniker it's under!   MTQ=9/11

Locas In Love - "Wir Fangen Von Vorne An EP" cdep  (Sitzer)
This band wowed pretty much everyone in attendance during their live US debut at the New England Popfest, so it's no surprise that I really like this disc. They've had a handful of cd and vinyl releases in their native Germany over the last several years, and this is the newest of the bunch. Their music fits somewhere in between David & The Citizens and the Pixies (at least, in spirit), but with a little more indiepop influence. Björn handles most of the lead vocal duties, but Stefanie comes to the front for "Zum Beispiel Ein Unfall". The lyrics are in German, but their sense of humor is not lost on those who do not speak the language, courtesy of song titles like "Avoid Karmic Disaster (Get Your Punishment Now)" and "No Mr. Bond, I Expect You To Die". I'm not entirely sure if this is a teaser for their forthcoming album or a standalone EP, but either way, it's excellent!   MTQ=4/4

The Loch Ness Mouse - "Busman's Holiday" 7"  (Cara)
The is the first record released on the Cara label that wasn't by the Dupont Circles (a fine group led by Michael of Cara), and also the first domestic release for this Norwegian pop band with previous releases on the Perfect Pop label (also home to like-minded pop bands like the Tables and the Bartlebees, among others). This quick little gem has two catchy pop tunes (the flip being "Girl Don't Tell Me", a Beach Boys song), with a total running time of under 4½ minutes, which is just perfect! Both songs are a lot of fun, and I'd definitely like to hear more from this group!   MTQ=2/2

The Loch Ness Mouse - "Flair For Darjeeling" cd  (Happy Happy Birthday To Me)
Though this record was originally released in 1999 on Perfect Pop Records in Norway (the band's home country), it has just recently been reissued on Happy Happy Birthday To Me. Partly because Mike is releasing the their new album sometime this year and wants to get everyone caught up to date on this wonderful band, and partly because he is in love with this record. And this certainly is a record to get excited about! It starts out with the absolutely perfect pop tune, "Judy", and it doesn't let up. Sometimes they remind me of an older Japanese pop band, like Flipper's Guitar; other times they have a little bit of a psych-pop feel to them, especially on "Edgerton Underwater Strobe Camera". Often times, they are reminiscent of the better Elephant 6 bands, like the Minders or the Marbles. Either way, this record is packed FULL of absolutely perfect pop songs, and that second record of theirs couldn't come soon enough!   MTQ=12/12

The Loch Ness Mouse - "Key West" cd  (Happy Happy Birthday To Me)
Long-awaited second album from these Norwegian popstars. It's a little softer than the first record, with the band taking cues from the Beach Boys & Steely Dan. The album is full of light, bouncy drums (and bass to match!), the right mixture of acoustic & electric guitars, and scores of extra instruments, like trumpet, mandolin and assorted percussion, but the key to the record's sound is the abundance of vocal harmonies. Not only does everyone in the band sing, but they have numerous friends (including American pals from Of Montreal & Olivia Tremor Control) helping out on various songs. I do wish that there were more upbeat songs on this record, as it does seem to drag in spots, but it's still quite enjoyable. I will say, though, that the blazing guitar solo in the final track, "Quay West", sounds a little out of place!   MTQ=10/12

The Lodger - "Grown-Ups" cd  (Slumberland)
This band from northern Britain has been getting loads of praise for their 7"s released over the last couple years in their home country, but I haven't had a chance to hear them until now, thanks to some swift action from the always excellent Slumberland Records! They play upbeat pop with jangly guitars, garnering them obvious (but appropriate) comparisons to the Wedding Present and the Smiths, but I also hear a bit more to their sound, from the dancier rhythms found in songs like "Simply Left Behind" and "Getting Special" to the Paul Weller-ish tone occasionally found in the lyrics. And sometimes, you'll find more sober, quieter songs like "Not So Fast" and the synth/string-filled "Bye Bye", but the band excels at the 2-3 minute catchy pop song, which you'll find in abundance throughout the record. I also quite like Ben's voice - it reminds me quite a bit of Rob from long-lost favorites, Monograph/Pacific Radio. Let's hope the band gets as popular over here as they are at home!   MTQ=12/14

The Lodger - "Life Is Sweet" cd  (Slumberland)
It hasn't really been that long since the debut album from this band, but they certainly have changed a bit since then. The first record was mostly full of upbeat and jangly songs not unlike the Wedding Present's early output, and while you'll find plenty of that here, the general mood and tone of these songs (even the poppier ones) is that of reflection and dejection. Yes, those themes popped up on the first record, but the band did a better job masking it then, yet it's hard to overlook here. That said, I think I actually like this record more than the debut; sure, "Grown-Ups" had some pretty amazing tunes throughout, but "Life Is Sweet" feels more like a complete album. And equally killer songs, like the disco-infused "The Good Old Days", the jaunty-sounding "A Year Since Last Summer" and the soft-spoken "Honey" certainly help its case, as well! In a just world, the Lodger would be more prominent in today's Britpop scene, but for now I guess they're our secret...   MTQ=10/11

The Lookyloos - "Perhaps The Most Satisfying Joy Left To Us..." cd  (Lather)
Coming from out of nowhere (or more specifically, Davis, CA), is the debut cd from the Lookyloos, a self-proclaimed side project (though of bands I'd never heard of previously). I'll be honest; I had skimmed the presskit as I sampled this record, and the first band that they liken this group to is dead-on: The Chills. This band definitely shows their love of New Zealand pop (I can also hear some Clean and a little Bats in there, too, as well as a reference to the Verlaines' "Death And The Maiden"), with their minimal sound and general ambience (read: frequent use of reverb on the guitar and vocals). At that point, I hadn't even noticed that the band had included their version of the Chills' "Doledrums" on this record; and a fine version it is! But just because this band is unabashed of their influences is no reason to dismiss them - the songs stand up on their own as decent songs. Sure, there are a couple that I don't like as much, and I really didn't care for the two minute-long interludes, but I still like this record overall...   MTQ=10/13

The Lookyloos - "You're Looking Very Beautiful Man" cd  (Lather)
I was pleasantly surprised by this band's debut, and I'm happy to say that this follow-up album is even better! Many of the songs are much stronger and more focused this time around (the latter of which was my only complaint about the debut). Their first record had an obvious New Zealand pop feel to it (particularly the Chills), and while this record doesn't sound all that different (it has the same minimal production with a fair amount of reverb throughout), they seem to have made the style their own now and don't really sound like any particular band. I do, however, hear an added influence of California-styled psych-pop in songs like "Incommunicado" and "Holiday In Mexico", which sounds almost like a very straight-forward Clientele tune. The album does have a couple uninteresting moments, but the catchier songs like "Ace Ain't The Face" and "Nobody Sends Black Flowers" (an ode to Harold And Maude) make it all worth it.   MTQ=8/10

Loons - "Dim Movies" cd  (Galaxy Train)
I knew that this band and title sounded familiar to me, though it only came out a couple months ago. Then I realized that this record was supposed to be released quite a while ago on Sandcastle Records. Well, I guess Tohru at Galaxy Train didn't want to wait around and released it himself, along with a few bonus tracks! Anyways, this is fine easy-going French pop, similar to Blueboy, Holiday Flyer, and maybe the Gentle Waves. There are brushed drums, viola, and some flute and bells, as well. Interlaced with the music are some samples (from movies? I'm not sure...), though I'm not really too into those. It doesn't often get in the way of the music, though, which is nice. Overall, the mood of the record is that of melancholy - and both the male and female vocals reflect that well, like on "Leaf" or their cover of "Never Understand" by the Jesus And Mary Chain. Occasionally, though, the music has a rather sunny feel to it, especially during the album's opener, "Leisure". My only problem with this record is that sometimes the vocals are a little flat, which usually bugs to me...   MTQ=7/10

The Loose Salute - "Tuned To Love" cd  (Graveface)
This cd came across my desk a while ago, and though I didn't really take notice on the first listen, I've found that it's definitely a grower, as I like it much more now! Their influences are fairly obvious, taking cues from the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo"-era Byrds and even a little T. Rex (the title track sounds kind of like a countrified Marc Bolan demo), and fitting in perfectly with peers like the Beachwood Sparks, Thrills and Mendoza Line (particularly the last few records). Like those other recent bands, the Loose Salute's country influence is readily apparent throughout the record, using acoustic guitars, piano and lots of pedal steel. As a result, the general feel of the album is very laidback, with the quieter ballads like "Why'd We Fight" and "Ballad Of The Dumb Angel" outnumbering catchier tunes like "From Head To Sandy Toes" and "Through The Stratosphere To The Bars". Although Lisa sings more of the songs (and her twangy voice fits the songs well), I kind of prefer Ian's voice when he takes the lead. A pleasant and relaxing listen...   MTQ=8/11

Lousy Robot - "Smile Like You Are Somewhere Else" cd  (Socyermom)
This record apparently got lost on the way home from the pressing plant; it says it was recorded in 2005 and has a copyright of 2006 on it, but its "official" release date was just a month ago! Regardless of when this actually came out, though, I'm just glad that I got to hear it in the first place. Their sound is pretty subdued, reminding me of a cross between Beulah and Saturnine (especially due to the singer's voice), but with a slight new wave-ish influence in songs like "Perfectly Confused" and "Mr. Falls Apart". The record was produced by John of the Deathray Davies, who seems like a perfect fit for the band - though Lousy Robot may not be as hyperactive as the Deathray Davies, they do share some of the same basic qualities (as they kind of do with Salim Nourallah, who also helped with the recording). The songs on this record may appear to be soft-spoken (even the more rocking ones, like "Welcome All To My Weird Awakening" and "The Man Who Has Everything"), but many of them still find their own energy, making for an enjoyable and exciting listen!   MTQ=10/11

Love Dance - "You Should Know Where I'm Standing" 7"  (Marsh Marigold)
Wow, I'm really excited to learn that the Marsh Marigold label is still around. They were pretty much the kings of European jangle pop during the 90s, breaking such bands as Red Sleeping Beauty, Acid House Kings, Die Funf Freunde, Busch, and the Seashells, among many others. This debut 7" from Love Dance of Norway shows that the label is still as vital as it ever was; just not as prolific. With their jangling guitars and indie-boy vocals (and the fitting lyrics) backed by a drum machine and synths, the band is so much a dead-ringer for early Acid House Kings, that you'd swear the copyright date on this record were ten years off. This is a fine single, and let's hope to hear more from the band and label soon!   MTQ=4/4

Love Dance - "Result" cd  (Marsh Marigold)
I was quite delighted by this Norwegian band's debut single for Marsh Marigold, but this first album of theirs is actually so much better! The songs still fit in the soft and wistful Acid House Kings vein, but the production seems much more full here than on the 7", which helps things like the layers of synths and jangly guitars stand out so much better. "It Sometimes Brings Me Down", for example, just jumps right off the record, and could rival just about anything from the Orchids or the Field Mice, while "Halfheartedness" falls more in a Blueboy vein, with its gorgeous string swells. And the songs just continue in this vein throughout the record, with excellent, jangly indiepop tunes liberally peppered with strings and trumpets - each song is a winner, with absolutely no low points (and that even includes the nearly seven-minute long closer)! A must for any fan of the Sarah Records sound.   MTQ=10/10

Love Is All - "Fall Out, Make Up, Make Out" 7"  (What's Your Rupture?)
It's funny, I think the average lifespan of an "it" band is shorter than ever these days. Wasn't it only six months ago that Love Is All was on everyone's lips/keyboards? I haven't heard them mentioned in at least four months. Still, that doesn't mean this single isn't worth hearing. Mixing the angry sound of Wiiija with some northern soul, Love Is All create love-anthems like My Favorite used to. All three songs on this single sound like nothing made in the last five years, and are pretty impressive. Of course, you know, this band could not possibly last more than a couple years, as the key ingredient here is youth, and lots of it. The songs and especially the shouty choruses are driven by youthful energy, and that's not something that you can fake - at least not with this much credibility. Listen to this single and try to remember when you were young...   MTQ=3/3

Love Is All - "Nine Times That Same Song" cd  (What's Your Rupture?)
I have to admit that I was kind of surprised to hear about a new record from Love Is All, since up until a few months ago I wasn't sure if they even existed anymore. However, when I got this disc, I was a bit disappointed to find that many of these songs are from previous releases - mostly because I was curious to hear how the band had evolved from their stunning debut. A couple of the songs from the last single were re-recorded for this album, but the rest (the entire first single, "Felt Tip" from the last single and "Trying To Hard" from an early demo) are the original versions. But despite that drawback, this album is still a very strong release, and the new songs shows the band in fine form. That is, assuming the songs are actually even new - there is no recording information in the liner notes, a fact that I find interesting, as if I'd picked this up without any prior knowledge of the band, I'd be hard-pressed to guess when this was recorded. At times, they sound like the early 80s post-punk of bands like Essential Logic and Kleenex, from the songwriting to the production style (and even the frequent use of skronky-sax), while at other times, they remind me a lot of Comet Gain (another band known for its time period ambiguity). A fine record - but I'm still looking forward to a batch off all-new material from them...   MTQ=10/10

Love Is Chemicals - "s/t" cd  (Near Earth Objects)
Judging from the band's name, I was expecting another basic emo band - and though this band does have emo tendencies, they also incorporate some indiepop, as well, reminding me of a mix of Death Cab For Cutie, early Spent and even the Go-Betweens in a couple spots. The songs are generally subdued in tone, with occasional noisy bursts popping up now and again (like in "Aquamarine" and "Misery Card"). This album is almost a perfect upside-down bell curve; it starts and ends on high notes, with my favorite songs being "Claw Your Sweater" and "Everyone Is In On It" at the beginning and "A Portrait Of Your Post-Apocalyptic Son" and the Camera Obscura-ish "Furthest Star" at the end. Most of the middle tracks are pretty good, but not very memorable, while near the center is "Misery Card", which is as generic as it is awful. A good start for this young band from San Francisco.   MTQ=7/8

Love Is Chemicals - "Song Of The Summer Youth Brigade" cd  (Near Earth Objects)
The first album from this band a few years back showed some promise, but also room for improvement. Well, for their second album, they filled that room quite nicely (and then some!), much like a dozen marshmallows in a cup of hot chocolate. I can basically hear many of the same influences and sounds from the first record carried over here, including Death Cab and Spent-ish pop songs, though the band opens up a little more in songs like "Love Machines", "Larger On The Screen". You'll also find more overtly catchy tunes, such as "Over Land, Over Sea" and "The Blossom & The Butterfly", with the latter sounding quite a bit like the New Pornographers. Even some of their denser moments in "Roads Lead Underground" and "The Drift" manage to maintain some pop elements to them, reminding me of the Melody Unit. I did find a couple dull spots (namely "Travis The Cop" and "Light From Distant Shores"), but they weren't necessarily bad songs - just uninteresting. Definitely an album worth checking out!   MTQ=11/13

The Love Letter Band - "Ugly Town Pretty Girl" cd  (555/Red Square)
When I first put this on, the first song almost instantly reminded me of the newest Microphones lp - the first 40 seconds of the song is a little verse, backed with bells and acoustic guitar, with a steady accordion (or is it a melodica?) building slowly, overtaking the song after the singing stops. After that, the rest of the song sounds like a whole new song, with a simple strummed acoustic guitar and very faint "water-dripping-like" synthesizer sounds, as well as the same quiet vocals. The next song uses a full band with drums and everything - it's a much poppier song. The whole cd uses a lot of different instruments and sounds throughout, and like the Microphones, these guys really sound like they were meant for recording, and that the sounds they make on record couldn't possibly translate to a live setting. Take "The Shuttle Was Destroyed": the drums are just huge (no muffling whatsoever, and mixed louder) and there seem to be three guitars playing at once, and the whole song is played over a backdrop of a record skipping in the run-out groove. I wonder how they'd play that one live! Well, the cd was made by seven people - probably more of a collective than a band... Anyways, the first three tracks on this cd are just great, and the fourth is okay. But then on the second half of the cd, they let the weird synthesizers take over, and I think it just ruins it. I can hear a cool song happening in "Mason They Do You Wrong"; or at least I could if the really annoying synths weren't too darn loud! The last couple tracks are just instrumentals that don't do anything at all for me. Well, I think "Dance Song For Teenager" (the last track) would've been a whole lot better if they ended it after 3 minutes (no, instead it fades out, fades in, fades out, fades in... over the course of 7 minutes!). It's a good first release (well, apart from a homemade cd-r), but I think the band could really do a lot better.   MTQ=4/7

The Love Letter Band - "Even The Pretty Girls Take Medicine" cd  (555/Red Square)
After last year's spotty debut, "Ugly Town Pretty Girl", the Love Letter Band have presented their follow up, "Even The Pretty Girls Take Medicine". Right from the beginning, I could tell that this record would be both different and better. I was right on both counts. There's more emphasis on Chris' strummy acoustic guitar and Marisa's marimbas and melodica, and less on the odd keyboards and moogs. The latter are still present on this album, but they're not as prevalent, and the songs definitely don't suffer from their inclusion like they seemed to on the first album. No, what we're left with are top quality songs presented in a way I can best describe as a less cluttered Microphones during the quieter parts, with some hints of Neutral Milk Hotel's finer moments, especially due to the cool LOUD drums (the levels were well in the red) on "I Thrust These Trembling Fists Into The Air" and "Popgun Summer", the latter of which is probably the closest to a straightforward pop song I've ever heard from the Love Letters. With 13 songs in under 30 minutes, it's pretty obvious that most of them fall into the 2-3 minute range, with a few even shorter (like the wonderful "I Heard A Sound" and clever "Love Came Crashing Down"). A couple tracks aren't that interesting, like the minute long trumpet noodling, aptly titled "Trumpet", or the last track, which is just some bass-y organ (that sounds like the one they used in "Strange Brew" to make the hockey players go crazy) with some narration. Overall, though, this is truly an excellent lo-fi pop record!   MTQ=10/13

The Love Letter Band - "Fear Not My Brothers, Fear Not My Sisters..." cd  (Happy Happy Birthday To Me)
Chris Adolf has been a good friend of mine for a few years now, but when he first sent me this album, he warned me that as much as he knows me, he suspected that I wouldn't really like it, because it was a bit of a departure from the earlier records. In some ways it is (for example, it's a bit more country-influenced, thanks to the inclusion of lap steel guitar on many songs), but in many ways, it's still the same style of songwriting that I've come to love from him - clever folk songs sung and played with as much conviction as Chris can summon ...sometimes you can even hear his veins bursting! Many of the songs here have been old favorites of mine, both from his live shows ("Everybody Sings Their Own Little Song" and "Mike Moran" have been crowd favorites for ages) and from last year's "This World Be My Church" cdep on States Rights, including "Iron Maiden Posters" and a way-improved (if that was even possible) version of "New Lover" retitled here as "I Will Be Here". Predictably, I wasn't too into most of the interstitial pieces (particularly "Guitar Instrumental", which contains an infuriating alarm clock-style beep loudly throughout), but I did love almost all of the song songs on here...   MTQ=10/15

Lovejoy - "Songs In The Key Of..." cd  (Matinee)
Though the songs are written by Dick Preece, who is Lovejoy, the resemblance to Blueboy is uncanny. That shouldn't be surprising, though, seeing as Keith and Paul are in the band. I can definitely hear Paul's classical guitar here and there, and "Thank Your Lucky Stars" really reminds me of "Jennifer Yeah!". But this also has hints of other things, like the Pet Shop Boys and campy 60's British movies. Basically, this is a cd that could only come from England; the only thing in America that could compare is Aberdeen or the Shoestrings. Dick sings most of the songs, but many have female backing vocals, as well. One of the best electro-pop cds of the year!   MTQ=10/11

Lovejoy - "A Christmas Wish" 7"  (Matinee)
This record could very easily be likened to a snowy December morning. It's snowing softly outside, and you're asleep in your warm bed. Though, called "A Christmas Wish", this is more about good cheer than the actual holiday. The A-side is a very soft song, with guitars just gliding along smoothly, almost as if they were skiing. And the vocals are just as smooth, like the Pet Shop Boys mixed with Pale Saints. It swells as the wind picks up, but slows down again. The flip is two variations of the same song, "Snow Falling Softly". The first take (the original), is just guitars and keys with the phrase "snow falling softly" repeated; more of an interlude. The remix is a bit better, as it adds shuffling electronic drums into the mix, making the song more hypnotic.   MTQ=2/3

Lovejoy - "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" cd  (Matinee)
This is a very melancholic record. From the bleak lyrics to the delivery of the vocals, all against a backdrop of drum machine and synthesizers (along with some guitars, though they're not always prevalent), with a sound reminiscent of Blueboy, Harper Lee/Brighter, and the Pet Shop Boys. So I guess it's not really that different than their debut cd, "Songs In The Key Of Lovejoy". The record starts off with the slow, repetitive title track, in which the title of the song is the only line. A very long slow-burner of a song, that also gets revisited near the end of the record with a reprise/remix. The Bent Fabric mix of "Snow Falling Softly" fit much better on the single it was taken from (last year's "A Christmas Wish" 7") than it does here, though it is still a nice instrumental. None of the songs on the album are particularly fast or upbeat; they sort of range from the slow (like "You Fell From Grace" and "Don't You (Wish You'd Never Met Me)?") to the midtempo (like "Night On Earth" and the very Harper Lee-ish "Nothing Happens Here"). The cover of Biff Bang Pow's "The Beat Hotel" is a different version than what appeared on their BBP covers 7" - it has more instrumentation, and I think it's much better because of it. My favorite song on here, though, would have to be the very warm-sounding "Plastic Flowers", which is mostly just drum machine, synths, and an acoustic guitar under Dick's vocals, alongside a crackling record sample (maybe it feels like a warm fire?).   MTQ=7/9

Lovejoy - "Everybody Hates" cd  (Matinee)
While Lovejoy has always essentially been Dick Preece's project, this is the first album he's actually recorded on his own (with only a little help here and there), or at least the first time he hasn't credited the other members of the band. Whether or not that's true, it's undeniable that this record (the band's third) is the most consistent Lovejoy record to date. It's also the most melancholic (if that was even possible), with Dick's vocals a barely audible whisper in each song (which sounds remarkably like David Gedge's voice when he whispers through a couple Cinerama songs). The music is similar to previous Lovejoy records, with an equal amount of soft, strummy guitars and keyboards, as well as a mix between real and electronic drums. Most of the record is rather somber, but a few songs show some life, like "Petrol Stars", "America" and "Sid Vicious", not that the slower songs don't have their own charm, though. I'd say that overall, this is my favorite Lovejoy record yet.   MTQ=8/10

Lovejoy - "England Made Me EP" cdep  (Matinee)
It's been a while since we've heard from our friends, Lovejoy (who have also been keeping not-so-busy with their Snowdrops project), but this EP shows the band are still in fine form. In fact, I may say that the lead-off track, "Brightness Falls", could be the band's brightest moment. It's a laidback tune with a mature sound that reminds me a lot of the mid-period Jazz Butcher stuff; not like Lovejoy have many "immature" songs, but the sound on this song does seem almost a bit more refined than their past records somehow. The second song, starts off nicely, fitting somewhere between early Pet Shop Boys and a warm, synth-filled Wake-ish sound, but unfortunately, doesn't actually go anywhere beyond that initially inviting sound. An understated cover of the June Brides' "In The Rain" comes next (which we've already heard on the recent tribute cd), followed by "Made In England" that follows in the same vein as many other Lovejoy tunes from recent albums, although it really could've been a couple minutes shorter.   MTQ=2/4

The Lovekevins - "Blame The English EP" 7"  (no label)
This is the debut single from this Swedish group, and it's an impressive one indeed! It starts off with the title track, which is a fine, subdued song that reminds me a bit of the Happydeadmen or Edson, but without the latter's Belle & Sebastian influence. "Stop Being Perfect" follows, and is a bit more spirited, with its sharp and jangly guitar, but there is still a subtle charm to it, thanks to the Rhodes organ helping out in the background. On the flip side are two more delightful tracks, including the Smiths-ish "Happy Happy" and "Taking David (By Strategy)", which kinda reminds me of the Decemberists' poppier moments in a way. All of this comes packaged in an attractive and elaborate fold-out sleeve, with liner notes in English, Russian and French. Looking forward to hearing more from this group soon!   MTQ=4/4

The Lovelies - "Bottles And Stones" cdep  (Tuff Tracks)
I honestly haven't thought of the Lovelies for quite some time - placing them in the pile of once-great indie bands from the early 90s that faded away. Quite the opposite, actually - apparently they've been increasing their popularity in the UK, and releasing singles on their own label, Tuff Tracks. This is the third such cd single, with a full length being recorded at this minute. Okay, it's not really the Lovelies that you may remember from a few years back ("999! - Art Police!", "Citizens Of Russ", etc), and the only original member is the band's leader, Tobin Thomson, but this is still a pretty good single. The title track is a Fall-ish post-punky tune with a really cool bassline and the second, "Space", is a mellower tune, that actually reminds me of Weave or the Mabels. The last track, "The Devils Shoes" however, is way too long (seven minutes) and quite generic: quiet for a while, kicks in with really loud guitars for a minute, then back to quiet, repeating a few times before the explosive ending. I'm glad to see the band's still around and producing good records, though.   MTQ=2/3

Loveninjas - "I'm Really Sorry" cdep  (Humblebee)
I received a demo cd-r from this band a year or so ago, and liked it, so I'm glad to hear a few more tunes from this group. The band are part of the fertile Swedish pop scene, and sound similar to many of its better bands, from the simple pop style of the Legends to the shoegazery sound of the Radio Dept., with the bedroom feel of bands like Nixon and Dorotea. Two of these songs ("I Want To Be Your Man" and "My Lust Is Dead") are taken from their first demo, although the sound quality was greatly improved, while the first two (the title track and "Meet Me Here") are brand new. More Swedish pop goodness!   MTQ=4/4

The Loves - "Love" cd  (Track & Field)
The Loves have been gathering quite a momentum in the UK, and after a few 7" releases, this is their debut album. Following in the footsteps of bands like Helen Love and Thee Headcoatees, the Loves combine a love of the Ramones with an affinity for the 60s girl group sound (though there are an equal amount of male and female lead vocals), creating fun and peppy garagy pop. Songs like "The Sound We Make Is...", "Just Like Bobby D" and the very Sportique-ish "Boom-A-Bang-Bang-Bang" are insanely catchy and exciting, making it clear why this band have been enjoying massive amounts of praise in the last year or so. However, The Loves also display some blues influence, which sometimes works in stompers like "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" and "Little Girl Blues", but really drags the record down in songs like "When My Baby Comes" and "Shake Your Bones" - I found these songs neither interesting nor original. Despite those few clunkers, though, this is still an enjoyable album.   MTQ=10/14

Low Beam - "Airstream" 7"  (Hozomeen)
It's funny - this band comes form New London, CT, which is a mere 15 miles from where I spent the latter part of my childhood (Norwich). Anybody who knows the area, knows that it is pretty much devoid of anything good musically (apart from the Reducers, but they were more local heroes than anything else), which makes this band seem a little more interesting to me. It's gotta be really hard being a pop band out there... The band definitely has a New Zealand vibe going, with similarities to the Bats and the Mad Scene, as well as a bit of Yo La Tengo and Grandaddy. The sound is alternately driving and lazy indie rock, with some overdrive at times. Both the girl and boy singers sing together, which works really well for these songs. I'd heard the band's first record several months ago, though I have to say that I wasn't really impressed with it, as the songs seemed to be a bit too long. The benefit of a single over an album is that the band's forced to keep things to a minimum length (both songs are about 3½ minute long). One (or both) of these songs is scheduled to be on their forthcoming "Industrial Light & Magic" cdep, so let's hope that the other songs will be as good as these!   MTQ=2/2

The Lucksmiths - "Greatest Hits" cs  (Candle)
Hooray for the Luckys! Brand new two song cassingle, dubbed their greatest hits - very funny! These songs live up to their usual goodness, and fit in real well with their last release ("Staring At The Sky"). More instruments show up, too, like piano & organs. By the way, if you're wary of cassettes (or can't find this), these songs will be released on cd soon. But can you wait that long?   MTQ=2/2

The Lucksmiths - "T-Shirt Weather" cdep  (Matinee)
There's nothing more exciting than a new batch of Lucksmiths songs! Unfortunately, this isn't really new, seeing as the first two tracks are straight from the Banter compilation released on Candle earlier this year. The other two songs are a cover of the Magnetic Fields' "Deep Sea Diving Suit" and a slower version of "Southernmost" layered in keyboards, which still make this a must-own. For the collectors, the 7" version of this only has the first two songs (the Banter ones), but it comes with a limited edition postcard!   MTQ=4/4

The Lucksmiths - "North American Summer 2001" 7"  (Matinee)
The Luckys were on tour for the past couple months, and to celebrate, Matinée has released a two song single. Sure, it's a little late - though the songs were recorded back in Australia before they left for the USA, it wasn't actually released until halfway through the tour. And as I type this now, they've only got about a week left here. No problem, though, as we'll have these songs forever, which is what pop music's all about, right? Oh, as for the songs, they're both mid-tempo tunes (how un-summer!), similar to their last cd, "Why That Doesn't Surprise Me". One is a sadder tune about loneliness in the summertime ("Friendless Summer") and the other is about Marty's luckless favorite football team (St. Kilda, in case you were wondering). And it comes with a little flyer with all their tour dates (and a few that fell through) on it.   MTQ=2/2

The Lucksmiths - "Why That Doesn't Surprise Me" cd  (Drive-in/Clover)
What do you expect? This is another great Lucksmiths record, with no real big change in sound or quality of the songs. The only difference on this record is the appearance of more instruments, such as a string section, more pianos & brass, and a bigger drum kit. That, and an increased use of female vocals. The sound is bit more somber this time, with a larger number of slower songs. The lyrics, though more introspective, are as clever and fun as always, with songs about relationship problems, friends, and of course, traveling (though I think we could've done without the "arse-licking" imagery in "Don't Bring Your Work To Bed"). Another wonderful record from one of the best pop bands around today!   MTQ=13/14

The Lucksmiths - "Where Were We?" cd  (Matinee)
Like the "Happy Secret" cd from a couple years back, this is a collection of single and compilation tracks the band have released between 1999 and 2001. While all of the songs have been released, they range from the easy to find tracks from the "T-shirt Weather" 7"/cd on Matinée (though for some reason, they've left off their cover of the Magnetic Fields' "Deep Sea Diving Suit") to the difficult to track down demo of "The Great Dividing Range" from a Japanese-only tour sampler cd released on Clover. Actually, I tell a lie; one track has yet to be released: "Welcome Home", which is to be on the next installment of the "The Way Things Change" series of 7"s on Red Square, out very soon. You'll also find their "Cassingle Revival" cassette/7", "Friendless Summer" 7", the tracks from both the "Banter" and "Feast" comp cds on Candle, and even the Lucky Ladybugs (Lucksmiths + Ladybug Transistor) song from the "Indie Aid Abroad" cd on Drive-In. Still, it's very nice to have all of these songs in one place. And don't think that just because these are all compilation or single tracks that they aren't up to the usual Lucksmiths standard of quality; I think the Lucksmiths haven't released a bad song since 1995. Plus, the fold-out sleeve is quite attractive!   MTQ=14/14

The Lucksmiths - "Midweek Midmorning" cdep  (Matinee)
Three new songs from one of our favorite bands is always a good thing, and these are no exception. The title track, taken from their as-yet-unnamed forthcoming album, is a jangly number that actually sounds a bit different than usual. There is a second guitarist throughout this ep, Craig Pilkington (who has been collaborating with and recording the band for a few years now), giving the songs a more layered sound, and it works. I think this is one of the best songs they've done in a while. The two b-sides, "Point Being" & "Requiem For The Punters Club", are exclusive to this single; the former being another upbeat song and the latter being a slow tune lamenting the closure of one of the band's favorite clubs. Recommended, of course.   MTQ=3/3

The Lucksmiths - "Naturaliste" cd  (Drive-In)
This is the Luckys' seventh album (not counting the two full length singles comps), and shows that the band are as good as ever. Produced by Craig Pilkington again (who also continues to provide some guitar melodies), it's not quite as orchestrated as their previous album, "Why That Doesn't Surprise Me", but the songs are otherwise similar, with an equal number of upbeat poppers and slower tunes. Though it's really hard not liking a Lucksmiths song, I kinda wish that they'd tip the scales in favor of the peppier tunes. A couple times, I find the record to be a little sluggish as a result. Of course, the songs like "The Sandringham Line" and "Stayaway Stars" give Tali a chance to show off his beautiful crooning voice; ah, I see what's going on... But even though the album's overall feel is subdued, there are still plenty of exciting tunes like "Camera Shy", "Take This Lying Down", "There Is A Boy That Never Goes Out", and the A-side to their last Matinée single, "Midweek Midmorning". Definitely enough wonderful songs to make this essential!   MTQ=9/11