Really need to let you guys hear this loud and proud, Portland, Or, all female trio known as Lovers. They are gearing up for their synth-heavy new full-length, Dark Light, out on October 12th. Let me first state that this album has been on constant rotation for the past few weeks at BBC headquarters. These ladies have captured a sound that fits so perfect with the landscape of the indie/electroncia scene that is going on right now.
Led by singer/songwriter Carolyn Berk, she has established her unique voice as Lovers with four haunted and heart-broken previous albums. Wanting to expand her sonic palate, Berk enlisted the talent of synth-programmer and performance artist Kerby Ferris and multimedia artist and percussionist Emily Kingan to craft a very personal/intimate sound that just so happens to get people moving as well.
You know exactly what type of album you are gonna get from the first 45 seconds of the album’s opener, “Barnacle”. That kick-snare pattern, simple synth-lead melody with a steady, syncopated synth bass lies below lyrics that paint the hook, ‘Every time the music starts I can feel my aching, shaking heart,” a start to a feeling that plays out over the course of the album tracks. Soon after it breaks into a Postal Service type of vibe that is an instant classic and worthy of many, many repeats.
Overall, The sound is stripped-down electronica, but that is fine because the space is filled with beautiful, melancholic, but dreamy 3 part harmonies that really give depth to an already enchanted sound. They are excellent song writers that know a thing or 2 about dancing.
I think people will really dig what Berk and gang have going on here, something that is a little different from the rest of the indie-dance stuff that is currently out there. This emotive version of synth-pop seems to be something a lot of people want to hear, so I have a feeling you will be hearing from these ladies in the near future.
Make sure to pick up Dark Light in October (Released through Badman Recording Co.) and if you fancy, check them out when they head out on a tour across the states.
enjoY!
Tour Dates
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October 14, 2010 | Portland, OR @ The Doug Fir Lounge
October 23, 2010 | Olympia, WA @ Le Voyear
October 24, 2010 | Seattle, WA @ Fireside Lounge (Sorrento Hotel)
October 28, 2010 | Berkeley, CA @ Starry Plough
October 29, 2010 | Pomona, CA @ Motley Coffee House (Scripps College)
October 30, 2010 | San Diego, CA @ Tin Can Ale House
October 31, 2010 | Tucscon AZ @ TBA
November 01, 2010 | Santa Fe, NM @ Backroad Pizza
November 02, 2010 | Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory
November 03, 2010 | Austin, TX @ The Saxon Pub
November 04, 2010 | Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald
November 05, 2010 | New Orleans, LA @ Neutrla Grounds
November 06, 2010 | Athens, GA @ The Flicker Theater
November 07, 2010 | Asheville, NC @ The Bobo Gallery
November 08, 2010 | Durham, NC @ The Layabout
November 09, 2010 | Washington, DC @ TBA
November 10, 2010 | Philadelphia, PA @ Greenline
November 11, 2010 | Brooklyn, NY @ Bruar Falls
November 12, 2010 | New York, NY @ Union Hall
This album is honestly too slow and plodding to get through. Aside from the single “Boxer”, each song just drags on for far too long. Also, with the band being called “Lovers”, and the constant reference to ‘lovers” in each song’s lyrics makes it come off as a really bad hipster love-in concept album.
it is SO good
saw you in ashville, nc (BO-BO’s) — great show, super great sound — bought CD and waiting to see you again