Many Love and Rockets fans who were disillusioned by last year's
experimental (though still meritable) "Hot Trip to Heaven" are now
running back to the fold as these post-goth lads return to nourish
and cultivate roots planted during the past decade. This latest
album will appeal to a wide array of listeners, if only owing to
its pot-pourri of styles. "Sweet Lover Hangover" is a catchy
radio-friendly single, yet maintains an integrity, nevertheless.
Songs like "Sweet F.A." and "Sad And Beautiful World" could have
come from Love and Rockets' first album, while stylistic
comparisons to the Jesus and Mary Chain ("Judgment Day") or the
Beatles are undeniable. Nevertheless, translated through the
ever-seductive artistry of Daniel Ash, David J and Kevin Haskins,
with production mainly by John Fryer, the songs emerge fresh and
appealing, with a distinct signature upon them, and nary a dull
moment. In fact, each song occupies a different point on the mood
spectrum, ranging from acoustic and mellow to feedbacky and driven,
or from delicate and lovely to sordid and narcotized. By the end
of the album, though, there prevails a sense of social isolation.
Electronic sounds and distortive vocal devices have replaced the
easy-going simplicity of the first song, and leave listeners in a
disturbed lull. But perhaps realizing the heaviness of such
technique, they end the production with a snatch of the first and
title song.
Sweet F.A. is an album that will invigorate long-time Love and
Rockets fans as it combusts into recognizable grooves and enhances
them. This is certainly the most musically unfettered and developed
of all their works, and should prove to be sensational performed
live.
