"Land Lovers, a five piece band hailing from the land of Ireland have launched their delicious second release in the form of a record called “Confidants” through the artist-based collectivePopical Islands last September. Their sound is based in richly decorated pop music; said decorative touches add a significance and interest that all great pop music within this genre strives to achieve. Popical Islands itself is a DIY group of musicians based in Ireland that Land Lovers played a central role in establishing.
Stately waltzing strings transition into some good synth pop rock on the single “The Cinema Bell” which you can download for free below. The guitar and synth work on this track reminds me of early Motion City Soundtrack, if anyone else reading this post was ever emo enough to even know what I’m talking about. Even with heavy themes, though, this record is never quite angsty, toeing the line between a desire for change and an appreciation for life that are meshed flawlessly.
The best track on the record is easily “The Pocket Orchestra’s Death Song” a long tale that begins with warbling strings, the wish of one old woman and an ensuing warmly-told ghost story backed by organs, dipping percussion and prominent bass. This song about ghosts is followed up by a track titled “Life’s Work”, which ironically continues the discussion of life, death and walking ghosts.
What really makes this album such an interesting listen, though, are the stories embedded in the songs. The musicianship is executed very well, but the staying power of these tracks is in the deftness with which Land Lovers convey a true sense of life: a slice of their hearts seems contained in these songs. As in “Is Nowhere Far Away Anymore?”, in which he sings about his grandchildren and what their opinion will be of him when they are grown up, and his desire for a world that he fears he might have longed for too late in life to actually find.
The lyrics throughout this album are so poignant and naked that the listener becomes the confidant, the holder of the record’s secret dreams, hopes and failures. You candownload ”The Cinema Bell” below, or follow the links for more." (Listen: listenbeforeyoubuy.net)
Stately waltzing strings transition into some good synth pop rock on the single “The Cinema Bell” which you can download for free below. The guitar and synth work on this track reminds me of early Motion City Soundtrack, if anyone else reading this post was ever emo enough to even know what I’m talking about. Even with heavy themes, though, this record is never quite angsty, toeing the line between a desire for change and an appreciation for life that are meshed flawlessly.
The best track on the record is easily “The Pocket Orchestra’s Death Song” a long tale that begins with warbling strings, the wish of one old woman and an ensuing warmly-told ghost story backed by organs, dipping percussion and prominent bass. This song about ghosts is followed up by a track titled “Life’s Work”, which ironically continues the discussion of life, death and walking ghosts.
What really makes this album such an interesting listen, though, are the stories embedded in the songs. The musicianship is executed very well, but the staying power of these tracks is in the deftness with which Land Lovers convey a true sense of life: a slice of their hearts seems contained in these songs. As in “Is Nowhere Far Away Anymore?”, in which he sings about his grandchildren and what their opinion will be of him when they are grown up, and his desire for a world that he fears he might have longed for too late in life to actually find.
The lyrics throughout this album are so poignant and naked that the listener becomes the confidant, the holder of the record’s secret dreams, hopes and failures. You candownload ”The Cinema Bell” below, or follow the links for more." (Listen: listenbeforeyoubuy.net)
