The Love Language - The Love Language

Though Raleigh's The Love Language tours as a seven piece, this album was purely the brainchild of front man Stuart McLamb. With great songwriting and lo-fi production spanning genres as diverse as cabaret and country rock (yes, you read that right), The Love Language's debut is one of the most interesting and fun albums I've heard this year.

Much has been made of lo-fi lately. With the hype surrounding acts like Times New Viking, No Age and Wavves (expect review soon), the style has become hard to ignore. Notice I said style. A product of recording techniques, lo-fi can't be considered a genre contained within itself. There's obviously a give and take involved with intentionally distorting songs. While obscuring the subtelties of voice and melody, there's no question it adds to the "rock-out" factor. Some will argue that the style is utilized primarily to conceal unremarkable melodies and pull half baked songs into a coherent whole. Certainly there are bands that are accurately described by this condemnation. Others, however, write songs that are thoughtful and interesting on their own and use lo-fi to add an extra element. The Love Language falls into the latter category.

As I mentioned before, this album spans a number of genres and influences. The opener, "Two Rabbits", complete with piano and soaring lyrics, has a definite lounge feel. Rockers "Lalita" and "Sparxxx" hearken back to Beatles-esque 60's pop with nods to lo-fi forebears such as Guided by Voices. The twangy guitar, lurching beat and anthemic chorus of "Stars" conjure up vintage Rolling Stones country rock tunes like "No Expectations" or "Sweet Virginia". McLamb's lovelorn lyrics are thoughtful and interesting throughout.

My favorite track on the album is sub 3 minute gem "Sparxxx". The use of energetic 60's guitar licks, tambourine, xylophone and a fun, catchy hook make it the perfect lighthearted spring pop song. In McLamb sums up the song, and perhaps his music philosophy, elegantly with this quip from a Daytrotter interview: "It’s just a whimsical summertime song about young couples drinking to forget their problems. Isn't that what all my songs are about though?"