Lovetones - Dimensions
by Carl Bookstein
published: 30 / 5 / 2009

Label:
Planting Seeds Records
Format: CD
intro
Well-crafted fourth album from Australian band the Lovetones, which creates a rich psychedelic pop evocative of the 1960s while maintaining an indie rock sensibility
On 'Dimensions', Australia’s the Lovetones frontman and principal songwriter Matthew J. Tow creates a rich psychedelic pop evocative of the 1960s while maintaining an indie rock sensibility. 'Dimensions', the fourth studio album by the Lovetones, combines one well-crafted track after another. With introspective lyrics and beautiful soundscapes, Tow’s songs fully engage the listener from start to finish. While the Lovetones released their debut “Be What You Want” in 2002 to critical success, Matthew J. Tow actually joined Brian Jonestown Massacre for a period of time in 2003. Tow contributed two tracks to the Brian Jonestown Massacre including the brilliant “Starcleaner”. Furthermore Lovetones supported Brian Jonestown Massacre on tour in 2004 and 2006. The talent of the Lovetones, Tow, Matthew Sigley, Serge Luca and Chris Cobb, is abundant on 'Dimensions' as the band creates a surreal experience from the opening chords. The disc opens with psychedelic guitar feedback and electronic noises. An eerie sound like something from astral outer space washes over the listener. The effect of 'Moonlit Suite (Her Room)', an instrumental piece is rhythmic and pleasant utilizing spatial exploration akin to Pink Floyd. With 'Journeyman', the album’s first single, the Brian Jonestown Massacre influence is apparent. Frontman Tow’s vocal radiates warmth as a 1960s pop feel is captured. On 'Two of a Kind' Tow writes of lost love with great melodic sensibility. 'Look at the Waves' with it’s easy vocal and flowing instrumentation is somewhat melancholic : “Got to find myself a place/got to find something for me.” 'New Low In Getting High', co-written by Tow and Brian Jonestown’s genius auteur Anton Newcombe, is an album high point. The blend of psychedelic rock and underground pop here combines for first rate hypnotic music. 'Love and Redemption' showcases a positive quality to this music : “I’m not here for destruction/I’m here for love and redemption.” 'Song to Humanity' combines a gorgeous 60s sounding cosmic melody that cascades over you with heartfelt lyrics of compassion : "We have not done enough for the unfortunate ones." 'When It Comes' is a haunting piece and another one of the disc’s highlights. The cd closes with the bonus track, the Anton Newcombe mix of “Journeyman”, a song worth repeating here : “I can hear a voice in my head telling me the way we must go.” In the end, the Lovetones fully succeed on 'Dimensions' by meshing together indie rock with psychedelic influenced pop for a very satisfying effort.
Track Listing:-
1 Moonlit Suite2 Journeyman
3 Two of a Kind
4 Look at the Waves
5 Memory Lane
6 A New Low in Getting High
7 Love and Redemption
8 There is No Sound
9 Song to Humanity
10 When It Comes
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/thelovetones/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lovetones
Label Links:-
http://www.plantingseedsrecords.com/homehttp://plantingseedsrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/psrmusic
https://www.facebook.com/plantingseedsrecords
https://www.youtube.com/user/plantingseedsrecords
interviews |
Interview (2019) |
![]() |
Carl Bookstein speaks exclusively to Matthew J Tow, the frontman with Australian psychedelic pop act the Lovetones about his band's lengthy career and their forthcoming 2020 album 'Myriad'. |
Interview (2009) |
reviews |
Myriad (2020) |
![]() |
First release for Australia's the Lovetones in ten years which represents a return to form |
Lost (2010) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Yardbirds - Interview with Jim McCarty
Johnny Cash - Video Vault
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
John Philip Shenale - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Loft - Interview
Vapors - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barrett - Loose TalkIvor Game - When Will You Fall Into My Loving Arms?
Gabriel Moreno - Nights in the Belly of Bohemia
Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham - Big Blue Sky
Brooke Combe - Dancing at the Edge of the World
Shaw's Trailer Park - I Thought I Saw You
Bryan Adams - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024
Ringo Starr - Look Up
FKA twigs - Eusexua
Leon Bridges - Leon
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart