Predominant Lunatics - Thirteen Lost Souls

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 3 / 7 / 2007

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Review

Swiss shoegazing band the Predominant Lunatics return with a masterful second album which is far superior to their debut album 'Hoping for Dusk'. They have moved mountains with this follow up. It opens with 'Water Under the Bridge' , which starts off with flowing water which totally chills you down and which is set against some beautiful-sounding guitar work. Marco Finsterwald's vocal isn't really important here as it is used like another instrument. Just imagine the Cure doing their version of the Doors 'Riders on a Storm' and you will get the idea. 'Cosmic Trip' was the main track on a recent EP and it just flows all over you in perfect fashion. 'In Flames' is slow and commanding in a way that demands you listen carefully and recollects the Cure again, but this time during the era of 1984's 'The Top'. It sounds damn fine to these ears. 'Night of the Blind' is slow again and, moody and reflective, is reminiscent of REM. 'Through Me' is sung by Marco in an eerie fashion and is as theatrical as Bauhaus on overdrive. 'Another War' has doomy guitar, bass and drums and a tight, angry vocal that just flows into the rest of the track perfectly. 'They Dream', which is very well paced, sounds like a combination between the Beatles' at approximately the time of 'Revolver' and Pennyblackmusic favourites Baptiste. 'Eyes Like Sky' meanwhile recalls a jangly early REM. 'Cherry Blossom' sounds like the Cure once more, this time during their 'Faith' era. It has decent chords and an excellent rhythm and is also reminiscent of Leonard Cohen. 'Episode Epilogue' is slow and doomy and has a spacey feel, while 'Why and Why Not' has sharp vocals and stylish acoustic guitar. A song about drowning in the night, it develops a harder feel as it progresses and is very moving. 'The Six Fountains' has a big sound and puts a strong emphasis on the bass. 'Take Me Home' ends the album. It has a lush acoustic guitar sound and once more is very much like the Cure at their best.

Track Listing:-

1 Water Under the Bridge
2 Cosmic Trip
3 In Flames
4 Night of the Blind
5 Through Me
6 Another War
7 Theydream
8 Eyes Like Sky
9 Cherry Blossom
10 Episode Epilogue
11 Why and Why Not
12 The Six Fountains
13 Take Me Home

Have a Listen:-