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January 13th, 2006 by Alex Davies (Permalink)
Label: HourZero Year: 2005 Add Comments |
Often, albums in your collection, even some you would hold up amongst your favorites, can languish in the murky territory of only being aired for the few key tracks, before being replaced in your stereo. Less often does an album come along that commands a full airing. An album that utilizes a sound that flows effortlessly between tracks; making it more than just a collection of songs. Lydia, a collective hailing from Arizona, first came to mainstream attention on the third installment of the Atticus: Dragging the Lake compilations. Amidst the pop-punk and trend-rock, their lush, poetic lyrics set to an acoustic backdrop that ignites gorgeously grandiose orchestrations, seemed completely out of place. Even more jarring, this music is performed by a band that has just finished high school.
This December; It’s One More and I’m Free is a tale of love, loss, hurt, and addiction, handling all with a maturity far beyond the band’s average age. “It’s In Your Blood” is a song filled with fervor and exquisiteness–vocalist Leighton Antelman’s breathy drawl injects a palpable weight into the lyrics which are expressively augmented by Maria Sais De Sicilia’s stunning co-vocals.
“A Story for Supper” is a brooding and melancholic tale that borders on 8 minutes. It evolves from quiet whisperings into blossoming refrains, and as two vocalists sing “let’s say we were better than our bodies were found,” there is an echoing conviction that you can feel on the back of your neck.
Whilst all the songs stand tall unaccompanied, the album as a whole works breathtakingly well; the songs interlink with lilting melodies, muted footsteps and distant conversations and through this the band manages to successfully capture an emotive finesse that alludes so many others.
“A Camera Lens and Careful Days” opens with a sparse piano motif and a beautifully harmonized introduction that develops into a breathing violin and acoustic guitar composition, coupled with some of the best lyrics on the album. Such image laden and emotive lyrics alongside an original orchestration makes for a stunning track and an equally stunning debut album. Fresh vocals and ambitious musicianship make This December an album that sounds inspirational and moving with every listen.
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