Take a young musician, add a well-spring of influences from some of the most creative and unique artists of modern rock, and inject the passion to bring about an honest change in the course of rock n’ roll, and you have the powerful potential for greatness. As a musician and avid music collector, it gives me joy to hear something for the first time that I can instantly crown as an all-time favorite. I’m confident in saying that this piece of work contains some of my newest favorites. Gifts come and go, but this is one I will keep in a special place and cherish for a very long time to come.
The debut release from the Los Angeles band Ingenue is a welcomed return to raw, honest, grungy, guitar pop, and brings back the always, interesting sound of 90’s alternative rock. To create a sound full of so many, obvious, but varied influences, but remaining current and pertinent, speaks volumes about the future of this musical group. Reminiscent of the jangly, but edgy sound that came from Boston bands like Belly, The Breeders, and The Pixies, The Lolita EP exhibits a perfect example of a band who has mastered the lessons of it's influences. Lead vocalist Lauren Doran has definitely sharpened her skills and studied the music she loves to create such an interesting debut. Each track is full of broad guitar textures, intelligent vocal arrangements and smart lyrical wonder. This release contains all the right components to insure a top-flight recording. Producer Michael Eisenstein (Letters to Cleo, Nina Gordon, Cruiserweight) has brilliantly mixed all ingredients of Doran's vision to create a body of work to remember. When all is said and done, a quote from their producer says it best: "Ingenue throws me back to the last exciting time in Rock N' Roll."
The first track, "Ambien" takes the listener to a time where the right mixture of sugar, spice and a pinch of intelligent poetics made a very interesting rock song. Not afraid to come out of the gate with their guitars saturated, Ingenue has layered each song with an attractive mix of rough textures and sonic precision. "Lookout" is filled with razor, sharp guitars and lush vocal harmonies. Doran, guest vocalists Nina Gordon (Veruca Salt) and Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo) spread the vocal landscape beautifully from track to track. The dark attack of "Snow" spins through your ear like an instant classic. The powerful guitar runs from Doran, mixed with the muscular drumming of Stacy Jones (Letters to Cleo, Veruca Salt, American Hi-Fi) would make my mama raise her fist in acceptance. As soon as you think the next track will come forward with the same raw assault, "It People" changes categories and opens a different page in the Ingenue songbook.
My favorite cut on this release, the song takes me back to the pop brilliance of the Lemonheads, Julianna Hatfield and Throwing Muses. From its cascading vocals, infectious rhythm, to sweet production, I was immediately smitten. I could easily see this song on the pop charts leading a return to the great power-pop song. After Doran shows her pop sensibility, her counter punch comes with a pound of granite and steel. "Sunshine" slaps your senses and demands that the listener feel the rock n' roll heart beating in their chest. The concluding song, "Shire", begins slowly but then develops the mood of a great rock anthem. The consistent and smooth finish to an even great record. Discovering a piece of work like this is a simple pleasure. No nonsense, no flash, only rock.
"The Lolita EP" is on sale July 7, 2009 from CleoSaltDog.
