Search - Lael Leroy, Loved :: Diary

Your fresh, new ears are in love!

Alisha Louise | Russia, with love | 04/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A wonderful second outing by Lael and his Loved, "Diary" is a soundtrack to your sometimes bittersweet, sometimes beautiful life. With a style strongly influenced by Wilco, Michael Penn and Elvis Costello, this album rings true in every sense and dares not follow the "same 14 songs" recipe so common to NW rock.

The obligatory pop song love theme is strong here, but there is a tendency to downplay the heartbreak (the Parliment-esque keyboard & bass lines in "Everybody Loves you When You're Down") and sympathize with love's more common dysfunctions ("Stars"). Horns and keyboards provide a fuller sound on "Blue" and "How to Romance by Guitar" without overpowering the classic 3-piece combo. Some of the songs seem a bit too polished, but the sincerity is never compromised.

It's not "indie" or "emo", so leave your labels behind and liken the experience to gazing at the stars before you knew all of the constellations. Buy it for yourself, play it for your friends and be happy that music like this exists."