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METRO WEEKLY - SOUNDWAVES
cd reviews - June 4, 2013
Chris Gerard
DRIVEN
Metro
Weekly - Soundwaves
The
Lost Patrol's "Driven" - Late Night Listening
New York City-based indie-rock trio The Lost Patrol is back with
their latest album, “Driven”, and it doesn’t disappoint.
This is late-night listening at its best. Mollie Israel’s haunting
and gorgeous vocals float over a dense backdrop of swirling guitars and
keyboards, lush and ethereal but with an edge. Somebody should get David
Lynch or Quentin Tarantino on the phone immediately -- songs like “See
You in Hell” or “Little Black Kitten” would be a perfect
fit for their disturbed cinematic visions. “Driven” is
an apt title; this is road music for lonely highways late at night, or perhaps
driving through the city at 3am with all the lights, the strangers roaming
the streets, the shadows hiding unknown temptations or terrors (or both).
The Lost Patrol’s sound is uniquely retro and atmospheric;
they are part 60s surf-rock, part 90s psychedelic alternative (think less-electronic
Garbarge or Curve, with hints of Julee Cruise), filtered through the chiming
guitars of Fleetwood Mac’s classic instrumental “Albatross”
and then drenched in echo. It’s not overly mellow easy-listening
or new age – “Driven” is a rock album, swirling, mysterious,
and beautiful.
Standouts include “All Tomorrow’s Promises” with
its insistent rhythm, soaring melody and richly layered vocal arrangement.
“Chance of Rain” is one of the darker moments – haunting
and absolutely lovely, with whirring keyboards that add the perfect surreal
touch. “Just Go” is an authentic-sounding take on an old
piano bar number from the 40s, and it sounds like it’s coming out
of the small speakers of an old-timey radio. “In
Too Deep” sounds like something one of Phil Spector’s girl-groups
might have put out in the late 60s, complete with the wall-of-sound production,
but with a darker edge.
The Lost Patrol is one of those bands that have put out consistently great
records for years in relative obscurity while artists with lesser talent
spark and fade with regularity. Maybe “Driven”
will be the album that pushes them through to the larger audience they
deserve. They have a fantastic vibe and this is an album that
will definitely reward with repeated listens. Also worth checking
out is their extensive back catalog, with albums like “Rocket Surgery,”
“Dark Matter,” and – especially – “Launch
and Landing” well worth discovering. Highly recommended.
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