Lab Partners - Review for Daystar:Citybeat - Cincinnati 1-15-2003By Mike Breen Late last year,
Dayton's Lab Partners managed to put out one of the finest overall albums
of 2002 in the form of Daystar, their debut release for Daytonian label,
Big Beef Records. It might be their last for the label though, as the
band has received a lot of attention (including an upcoming Spin magazine
write-up) thanks to the expansive, melodic "shoegazer" rave-ups
that make Daystar such a mind-melting musical experience. While Dayton
has become known for bands that rely more on directness (GBV, Breeders,
et al.), Lab Partners stand out by making music around an enchanting
wall of big, lush sounds, concocted with layers of guitars and some
keyboard accouterment (but no bass guitar). Area fans of early Verve,
Ride and Spiritualized will be ecstatic to discover that music this
effusive and beautifully ethereal is being created right in their relative
backyard. But the Partners especially excel in one area that most shoegazers
gaze over -- melody. While many of their peers concentrate more on the
jammy glide of the music, Lab Partners write songs that could be almost
as effective played simply on an acoustic guitar. In that respect, the
band is more in line with current dark-psychedelia practitioners like
the Dandy Warhols and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. While the sweeping
majesty of songs like "You Make It Better," the narcotic nod
of "After Hours" and the T Rex-ish bop of "Magnify"
start your head swimming, the band really connects when the subtly engulfing
vocals of Michael Smith kick in. And when things get downright epic
(like on the lengthy "Still Shine On" and "Furthest From
Love"), the band shows they can get hazy with the best of 'em.
Lab Partners might have their heads in the clouds, but they're certainly
not lost there. (MB)
Named Top 10 Albums of 2002By Mike Breen Ethereal BritPop from ... Dayton? Yup, and it's one of the best regional releases of the year. Think early Verve with a lot of sonic adventurousness, celestial layers of sound and a strong knack for impacting, serpentine melodies. |