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On this, the third installment of Dennis Lyxzén's other project, the sound is vastly headed in a new direction of sound, and this is a wise decision. Upgraded here to be a full band which includes members of Randy, the Deportees, the Regulations, and Sandtröm brothers André (ex-DS-13) and David (ex-Refused).

His last release under this moniker saw a more lush, stripped-down sound akin to Cat Stevens or Van Morrison, whereas this album has the textures of Big Star, Cheap Trick, the Cars and Elvis Costello. The record kicks off with "Feels Like Drowning," and upon first listen, the listener knows this is going to be a fun, Summer-feel record (although Epitaph delayed it until August in North America). Next up is the single, "Golden Times." This is one of the catchiest songs on the record, thanks in part to an organ line. "Get Ready" probably has the best sing-along chorus, complete with jingle bells that can only emphasize the hook's importance. The next track, "Hanging On," sound like an angry Lyxzén, although I couldn't help notice the similarities in the music and feel to the Cardigans song' "My Favourite Game" (and this is also not a bad thing) and the solo in that song has a mod-`60s sound and tone as if it was lifted from his T(I)NC record Survival Sickness. The next track "Pick Me Up" slows down the record, although not too much, and its chorus will get stuck in one's head as a result of the fantastic vocal harmonies.

"A Girl Like You," with its slight circus-like intro, breaks back into that late `70s / early `80s feel, and the backing vocals only help to emphasize it. "A Dose of You," with its very similar title, gets the same treatment in this review sentence structure-wise, although it sounds nothing at all like its preceeding track. This track injects more tempo into the album, as well as solidifies the album's theme of love, which makes this the third album Dennis has made about Sarah since the breakup (Songs About Running Away and Armed Love being the other two). "Let Me In" kicks everything up a few notched, and just starts out rocking like the album had began, and probably has one of the best bridges I have heard all year, the keyboards rounding it all out. "My Heart is Still a Mess" slows it back down, and is easily one of the top tracks on the record, with its hooks-galore emphasis. The last track, "Can't Stand the Quiet," is another allusion to Survival Sickness, albeit only in the title, harkening one last moment of rockin' out, and contains the catchiest chorus on the album, with the band's attempt to "find a reason to live" and pounding the hook in your head for the final thirty seconds.

With the album's theme obviousy being love, Dennis has proved himself to be a good author on the subject, and the immense talent of his backing band makes this record the best he has released on the subject. In short, this is a damn fine record, and easily one the catchiest and possibly the most under-the-rader release of the year.

Oh yeah, you can dance to it as well.



People who liked this also liked:
The Dwarves - The Dwarves Must DieFireside - Get Shot



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    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 12:56 AM (EDT)

    If that qualifies as psychadellic then I'm Lester B. Pearson.

    Every Lost Patrol album has it's fans and it's critics. I like that in a band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 24, 2005 at 11:25 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I refuse to purchase any album whose cover consists of a psychadelic photo of the band members.

    -Chinatown

    Posted by moneenerd on 2005-10-24 21:21:15
    My Score:

    This is the worst release by Lost Patrol. The other 2 were pretty spot on (especially Songs About Running Away), but this is re-hashed Hives crap. Weve all heard every one of these songs before.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 24, 2005 at 6:21 PM (EDT)

    "You dont know anything about this man do you? Look up Ian Svenonius. See if you notice any similarities. Also think about his harsh "anti-capitalism" stance that he is trying to sell to everyone and their mother. I dont even think I can stomach refused anymore in hindsight because this guy is such a douche.

    Nice try on the assumptions though."

    Oh I get it. I think his slickly packaged revolutionary image ready to be sold enmass is pretty hilarious. But they guy does makes some fine music. So I'm stuck.

    My statement about Refused fans still stands true though.

    Posted by GreenVandal on 2005-10-24 15:01:25

    ""Fuck Dennis and everything he does. ESPECIALLY this shit."

    Angry hardcore kids are a funny bunch. Refused broke up in 98, get over it. They only had two good albums anyway. And just because some one did the screamy yelly angry white boy thing for awhile doesn't mean they have to keep doing it for the rest of their lives."

    You dont know anything about this man do you? Look up Ian Svenonius. See if you notice any similarities. Also think about his harsh "anti-capitalism" stance that he is trying to sell to everyone and their mother. I dont even think I can stomach refused anymore in hindsight because this guy is such a douche.

    Nice try on the assumptions though.

    Posted by Sirens on 2005-10-24 11:09:46

    4.5 stars, come on this will make no impact on music what so ever, even if you like this it can be more than a 3.

    Posted by Sirens on 2005-10-24 11:08:15
    My Score:

    F U C K this. Dont try to convince yourself this is good, youre just trying to be different, this is shit music.

    Dennis Lyxen suck my nuts.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 24, 2005 at 4:20 AM (EDT)

    "Fuck Dennis and everything he does. ESPECIALLY this shit."

    Angry hardcore kids are a funny bunch. Refused broke up in 98, get over it. They only had two good albums anyway. And just because some one did the screamy yelly angry white boy thing for awhile doesn't mean they have to keep doing it for the rest of their lives.

    Posted by localh on 2005-10-24 01:49:48

    make a dude named ashley take it in the poop shoot maybe?

    Posted by rkl on 2005-10-23 23:49:51

    fucking hell, the last thing the world needs are chain posts

    Posted by ZDP on 2005-10-23 23:47:37

    haha, who let the MySpace kid below me comment here?

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 23, 2005 at 11:22 PM (EDT)

    Don't EVER leave the one you love for the one you like, because the one you like will leave you for the one they love. Tonight, your true love will realize how much they love you between 1 and 4 in the morning. Tomorrow, the shock of your life will occur. If you break the chain, you will have bad luck..

    If you REALLY LIKE (or LOVE) SOMEONE right now AND MISS THEM and can't get them out of your head then re-post this within 1 mintute and whoever you are missing will surprise you

    Posted by GreenVandal on 2005-10-23 20:12:00

    Fuck Dennis and everything he does. ESPECIALLY this shit.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 23, 2005 at 5:33 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    the vocals on this are some of the foulest whining I've ever heard.

    Fans of the first lost patrol record, which is nothing like the happy go lucky pop that came after it, will be disappointed.

    I have nothing against pop, but his vocals on top of these songs negate each others tolerablity.

    I mean, dennis breaks up with a girl and thinks because he usually sings about politics it'll be refreshing to hear this. Bless his little broken heart, I guess, to each his own.

    David Sandstroms solo records on the other hand continue to hold me ransom.

    wyzo

    Posted by ElVaquero on 2005-10-23 16:35:27
    My Score:

    This is probably the worst Lost Patrol album. Decidely average through and through.

    Posted by ZDP on 2005-10-23 14:57:29

    While I agree the organ in "Golden Times" is catchy, the guitar totally kills it.

    Posted by LevitateMe on 2005-10-23 06:27:24

    There's an unsigned band in New Jersey with the same name.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 23, 2005 at 6:12 AM (EDT)

    song's about running away was musically far superior it was nice to hear an experiment a step out of character rather than treading in a more comfortable sound. It was nice to hear a good R&B pop rock album for a change that diden't come out of the 60's or 70's
    .

    Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-10-23 05:06:54

    In an interview Dennis said this sounded like a Buzzcocks record. I should check this out.

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