Lea Shores - Lea Shores

by Carl Bookstein

published: 5 / 7 / 2009

Label: SE15 records
Format: CD

Harmonic and modern-sounding psychedelic rock on immensely promising debut album from South London-based band, the Lea Shores

Review

Coming out of South London, the Lea Shores are part of a current psych-rock revival. Their music is psychedelic and layered, guitar driven with lovely vocal harmonies. On the Lea Shores self titled debut album , guitars and violins combine for a hypnotic and ethereal effect. The Lea Shores took their name from a David Crosby tune, a great version of which appears on the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young live album, 'Four Way Street'. The band is fronted by twin brothers Simon and Nick Webb, along with Jamie Smith on guitars, Gabriel Lloret on bass and Nick Foot on drums. They are joined by Nell Catchpole on violin. The Lea Shores have played support slots for the Brian Jonestown Massacre, the Dandy Warhols and Kasbian. Their debut album is a worthy first effort. 'Velvet Lies', the opening track, has a rhythmic powerful beat and swirling guitars. It welcomes you into the sonic experience that is 'The Lea Shores'. On 'Fear SOS' the sound of a tight band connects with the listener along with a smooth vocal line. The lyric “save us” repeats. The tempo slows as beautiful violin work is heard. On 'Rise' the effect of the vocal is both soothing and healing: “Got to keep on keeping on my friend till the day you die.” 'Guillotine' ups the ante of the whole album and is absolutely one of the high points of the recording. A psychedelic wall of sound backs up a great lyric: “You got your head in the heavens, but the movie cuts you down to size.” Instrumentally and vocally the band blends together so well here. The beat of 'Brand New Day' comes at you like a vessel descending from on high. “Let it go. Slip away. Let the morning come with a brand new day.” With 'Adoration' the lyric “it’s only love” repeats like some kind of Indian mantra. The influence of the Beatles' 'Revolver' album comes to mind as the lyric parallels John Lennon’s 'Tomorrow Never Knows': “Open your mind, lose yourself and find desire” sing the Lea Shores. 'Butterfly' opens with the sound of violin and guitars washing over you. All instruments soon join together for a sonic collage. On 'Ride' a steady rhythmic drum beat blends with heavy guitars. The band is in synch, coming together for a powerful, almost ominous sound. 'Open Valve', the closing song begins with the lyric “You know you got to wait a long time till the light in my heart shines” evoking the promise of a love to come. At one point we hear a cacophony of sound followed at the end of the song by a lone drum beat. All in all, the modern psychedelic rock of “The Lea Shores” shows great potential of things to come for this talented South London band.