From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V16 #1159 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Sunday, July 13 2014 Volume 16 : Number 1159 To unsubscribe: e-mail ecto-digest-request@smoe.org and put the word unsubscribe in the message body. Today's Subjects: ----------------- Luckless - Vindication Blues [Phil Sainty ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 23:36:56 +1200 From: Phil Sainty Subject: Luckless - Vindication Blues Luckless' eponymous first album was my favourite album of both 2012 and 2013 (I'd found it in November 2012, and nothing bested it for me in the following year), and instantly vaulted them into contention for my favourite NZ band of all time. Now "Vindication Blues", the second LP from this (revised) kiwi two-piece has arrived, and it's superb. It's also somewhat different. Songwriter Ivy Rossiter's vocals and reverberating electric guitar are still leading the way on both the loud and the quieter tracks, but not nearly so completely to the fore as last time. There's more going on in the arrangements and production in these songs, and accompanying that is a noticeable shift in focus towards the instrumentation over the vocals (which probably suits the songs but, given Ivy's gorgeous voice, I still wish they were a little more prominent in the mix). Where the first album was packed with songs which crept up on you through beautifully layered arrangements that built up over the course of the track -- often sparse at first, and then subtly intensifying -- the songs on the new album seem more straightforward and up-front in their approach. But they're good. Very good. Most noticeably, the new album steps significantly more into the rock side of Ivy's self-professed "melodic, neurotic, melancholic indie rock" genre mix, with a few of the new songs (in particular "Dry Eyes" and the insanely-fun-to-watch-live "Paperskin"*) really allowing everyone to let loose. In the first album I heard shades of The Moon Seven Times' "7=49" at times, and I'd never attempt the same comparison this time (I can still hear it, but it's far from prominent). I'm not sure who to draw on as a direct comparison for this album (other than a major Sparklehorse "It's a Wonderful Life" vibe from the final track of the album; but that's something of a departure from the preceding songs). That's probably my unfamiliarity or inability to conjure names forward, but also I think Luckless are basically doing their own thing, and doing it well. The first album was a revelation for me from the beginning, and the new album only raises them in my estimation as a band which I want to hear more and more from. There are elements that I miss from the first album (and which I'd be sad if I never heard again in a Luckless song), but the new album is focussed and awesome in its own right. If you enjoyed the first album, you'll absolutely want to listen to this one too; but I can see each album reaching out to different audiences as well. If you enjoy the louder end of the Ecto scale, you ought to check this out. You can hear both albums in their entirety at Bandcamp: 1. http://luckless.bandcamp.com/album/luckless 2. http://luckless.bandcamp.com/album/vindication-blues They are currently on a short album-release tour (playing as a four-piece for possibly the only time); so if the new music grabs you - -- and you're one of the few people on this list likely to be anywhere near one of those gigs -- I firmly recommend going. Christchurch and Dunedin have already happened, I'm afraid. I get to see them on the 18th in Wellington, before they finish up in Auckland on the 19th. - -Phil [*] I had the pleasure of being at the gig where they first unleashed this one on a public audience and, despite a warning that it might go horribly wrong, they absolutely nailed it. I thought Logan had grown some extra arms at his drum kit. It was also so unlike what I was used to hearing from them that I had a slightly disbelieving grin plastered to my face for the duration of the song. Having experienced that, I'd have to say that it loses a bit of its effect when you can't see them rocking it live; but it still puts a smile on my face :) ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V16 #1159 ****************************