I came into Valley Lodge thanks to a tip from a friend in 2018, just as they released "Fog Machine," a solid album of melodic pop, occasionally with power, and almost always hook-filled. Dave Hill and gang have released a new record after a five year wait and in some ways it's even better than the last.
What I like about "Shadows In Paradise" is that it is more consistent, or at least it sounds that way to me. "Fog Machine" felt more like a pastiche of pop styles whereas the new record seems to rarely stray from that oft-maligned power pop label. That is not a bad thing.
I don't think there are any songs on "Shadows In Paradise" as strong as "I'm Gone" or "Stars Won't Fall" from "Fog Machine," but the new one has more to love...at least that's how I am hearing it.
Check out these faves and if you're into, you can get yourself a copy over here.
9 comments:
Good stuff. Thanks.
And I love that they did John Oliver’s theme song!😎
None of the three posted (and the two from Fog Machine mentioned) are flooring me. No new ground being broken. No breathtaking moments. It just is. And the Oliver theme song is kind of weenie. I dunno, maybe it's because it's Monday, but 'm not feeling the tongue.
VR
I like both their albums a lot. Great on a sunny day. Thanks for sharing
All good songs, thanks for the tip!
Great find. Thanks so much. Really enjoying this.
I'm a big late to comment on this (and the St. Vincent and the Billie Eilish and... so I'll dump it all here as I'm sure you were waiting -- haha). I liked all of the recent things you've mentioned, but only moderately.
The St. Vincent (who never did a lot for me previously) reminded me so much of Kate Bush on some songs, that was what appealed to me about it. On a second spin, I certainly liked the last track a whole lot. But it came and went.
The Billie Eilish -- I first listened to in the car in two halfs and the first half+ is great, but peters off in the last few songs which all felt too similar. Then I gave it a second spin on a good set of speakers and I liked it a lot more. "Lunch" is sticking with me, for sure.
The Valley Lodge -- I liked previous albums better and the new one was just OK. Nothing bad, but nothing overly exciting either.
The Lemon Twigs album -- I *really* liked all the singles again. And I expect to be hard-pressed to find a better single than "My Golden Years". But the album ends on a clunker and that took me out. I still feel they try hard to be too-clever-by-half, but this album was certainly much better than any of the others to me. I think I'll still go see them live when they are in town in July, though.
Maybe I'm in a funk lately. I saw Southern Culture on the Skids at a club last weekend (first time!) and they knocked me out with a two-hour set that never dragged, so maybe I'm looking for something to do that on record and haven't found it yet.
Well Shriner, I certainly hope dumping on all of my highly recommended titles of 2024 brings you out of your funk.
:)
Thankfully, you enjoyed SCOTS, one of my all time fave bands live and on record.
I did just now pick up my tickets to see the Twigs at the end of July in Fabulous Ferndale MI, so I'll be sure to let you know what I think of them live. :-)
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