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You might be reading this and asking yourself, "Hey, I didn't know The Lilys were still around!" Well, yes, they are! As you might've heard, Kurt Heasley (who is one letter away from having my last name) and company said good-bye to their dream-pop ways a few years ago and have instead embraced the British Invasion sounds of the 1960's, rocking out like The Kinks or a quiet The Who. (Changes abound for Kurt personally, too. He now resides in Philadelphia and is a father to three younguns! Yay for you, Kurt!!!)
Listening to this CD, I couldn't help but be reminded of early Guided By Voices (in their pre-arena-rock-era), but Bob Pollard loves that same mod guitar rock sound, so I suppose their similar sounds isn't all that surprising, but funnily enough, they both sing in an affected-not-quite-British style! Oh, hee! "Squares", in particular, sounds very GBV to me. Perhaps you will agree.
Songs that will make you bounce up with joy include "Will My Lord Be Gardening" --- don't judge it by its song title --- a song that highlights the brilliant shimmer of Heasley's pop craftsmanship. (Ugh, that sentence sounds so "rock critic"...) And "Catherine (let a positive stream)" has a strong Smiths-esque refrain. "Perception Room" has a noise-y keyboard bit that reminds me of "Tomorrow Never Knows" by The Beatles. But sadly, the Doors-esque "Meditations on Speed" always gives the "skip" button on the CD player a workout. Ick.
Admittedly, the first time I played this CD, it didn't grab me. But when I played it again, alone in the car, I became absolutely enamored! I even popped it out of the CD player and brought it upstairs with me to listen to it again, and then brought it back to the car with me later that day! It's good good stuff! (janice.09.03)
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