This album starts off with “Night Shift”, and here we have a very soft, folky intro. This almost reminds me of something that Torres would do. But I have to say, one thing I love right off the bat is Lucy’s very personal storytelling. She may be quiet, but she has tons to say, and she has some seriously great, feisty moments as well. Now, structurally I feel like Lucy is on to something because the one thing that this isn’t is a straight up Indie jam. Hell, even when things slowly pick up I really love what Lucy is doing. I just seriously wish her vocals really stood out a little bit more. She has a beautiful, and I mean absolutely beautiful voice. But the way she’s presenting herself here, I just feel like I’ve heard this before. However, I have to say, Lucy’s very progressive, forward-thinking structure saves this one for me. Not to mention, I just love how haunting Lucy’s performance is, and just how heavy “Night Shift” gets, even if it takes four and a half minutes to get there. The very moody, wispy Indie Rock continues on with “Addictions”. I love Lucy’s stories, and her presentation here is just so wonderful. But I do have to say, I love how this one is a little more immediate and seriously catchy with one of the most memorable choruses here. Lucy for such a huge voice seems like she really sees herself so small with some of these lyrics, but this is a fantastic escape for her. “Addictions” is really interesting, mostly when she gets to that verse about calling because she’s used to it, it’s something we’ve all felt. This one overall is the big and memorable tune I wanted to hear from Lucy. On the other hand, “The Shell” is much chillier and heavy. Obviously, it’s far from actually being truly heavy, but the atmosphere is just so dense here. Lucy’s slower tunes are a little more hit and miss with me. I commend her very patient performance, but I just feel like this doesn’t stick with me overall. Even lyrically, this doesn’t have nearly as many memorable lines that stick with me. However, I have to give Lucy credit, her soaring, passionate vocals here are an absolutely incredible display. I think she’s really onto something with this much more dense atmosphere, but I don’t think it’s quite there yet. Then we have “Nonbeliever”, which is much more my style. Right off the bat, I just can’t tell you how much I love Lucy’s very rebellious lyrics. They may not be rebellious in a classic sense, but they certainly do have a little bite to it. This one is absolutely beautiful, between the very sweet atmosphere and the strings surrounding Lucy. Hell, even when this one translates to a more guitar driven performance this is a seriously likable tune. I feel like that more guitar driven songs are Lucy’s strength, and the direction she should be trudging forward with. “Nonbeliever” has a great groove to it, but Lucy remains the star, and she handles it so well. For me, this is a real home run for Lucy, and it has such an anthemic feel, it’s great on all fronts.
Sadly though, it’s the slower tunes like “Yours and Mine” that continue to have me weary about Lucy. I think she can obviously work a slow burner of a track, and her very raspy performance here is just so cool and different. And when this one gets that seriously hypnotic riff going, boy does this ever shape up. But I can’t shake the feeling that this isn’t Lucy’s strength at all. I feel like what sets her aside is that much more guitar driven sound. But for me, just enough of this track has some really cool elements, from the bluesy riff to the really fantastic vocal harmonies behind Lucy’s performance. “Yours and Mine” isn’t the worst thing I’ve heard, but I just really feel like this isn’t Lucy’s strength. On the other hand, if I wasn’t having any of that last one you’re damn right “Body To Flame” isn’t my cup of tea either. This is just way too light and fluffy. Where did that badass vibe that Lucy had going earlier get to? I still have to commend her on that lovely string section which is seriously classy, and hr very compelling lyrics. And yes, things do get a little better when some of those guitars come crashing in. But the remainder of this track is just OK. Sure, Lucy’s vocals are soaring and her performance is commendable. But I can’t shake the feeling that this still isn’t what she should be going for. Once again, “Timefighter” is just so freakin’ sluggish, and once again not where I want to hear Lucy. At least instrumentally, because if I’m being honest this is easily her coolest, dare I say sexiest vocal performance yet. It’s just so sultry and bluesy, I can’t help but get wrapped up in it. “Timefighter” did eventually grow on me, but man did it take forever. These aren’t indie tunes that are easy to digest at all, most taking numerous listens. This one creeps along with a very winding instrumental that’s really twisted, and some of the heavier moments are really well done. But while I like this one, which I do, this one isn’t going to have me coming back for a second listen. I do have to say though, I absolutely LOVE how intense this one gets by the ending bars. But hey now! What’s this! Is that some actual energy and some punchy guitars with “Next of Kin”? What a nice surprise. I honestly forget just how fantastic Lucy sounds in these much more upbeat atmospheres. Her bluesy vibe continues to be so brilliant, and her storytelling is near expert levels. I seriously love everything about this tune, from the rolling guitars to Lucy’s personality. Not to mention, it’s just so obvious and simple for her.
Now while “Pillar of Truth” is quiet in it’s intro, I do like the shimmering production. This one is just a progressive as some of the earlier tunes here, and honestly I freakin’ love that. Lucy’s very visual lyrics are her sweeping vocals are nothing short of brilliant. This is certainly one of her less bluesy and more straightforward performances, but I have to say I sort of wish this one would speed up a little. Now, when things open up into a very classy Indie Tune around the 3-minute mark things get brilliant and quick. I love the sunny atmosphere and the delicate instrumentals surrounding Lucy. By the halfway mark, this tune gets seriously epic. Between the very positive feel and the gigantic instrumentals, this much more progressive direction just works so well for Lucy. I’m down for all of this, especially when she absolutely goes wild towards the end. Sadly though, “Historians” is not the finale I wanted to hear. This is absolutely pretty, and Lucy’s performance is incredible. But this is just so damn boring of a tune. This isn’t some grand statement or anything close to it. This is just a long, drawn out finale that probable could have been tied on to the finale of the last track. I’m going to give Lucy some credit for her beautiful performance, but this isn’t what I wanted to hear, especially after how gigantic that last tune was.
Rating: 7.6/10
Give A Listen To: “Night Shift”, “Addictions”, “Pilar of Truth”, “Next of Kin”
Genre: Indie Rock
Overall Thoughts: Lucy on this album brings together some of the classiest and more interesting Indie Tunes you’re probably going to hear all year. Her stories are compelling, her lyrics are generally easy to comprehend, and some of the longer cuts here have a Progressive edge that works well for her. But I feel like some of the softer moments here, while they’re often absolutely beautiful, are just so faceless. It’s the more guitar driven tracks that time and time again work for Lucy so well, and that’s exactly where I want to hear her in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment