Lush
Blind
Spot EP
(Edamame)
Lush are back! I honestly thought that this would never
happen after the suicide of good guy original drummer Chris Acland nearly twenty years ago. Yet here they are and sounding as amazing as
ever. I long ago gave up having any kind
of suspicions regarding bands that reform for nostalgia tours or even new
material. Calls of “sellout” and “poser”
have long since left my vocabulary.
Firstly, because if it is simply a cash grab, then good for them. Most of these artists did not get the
exposure they deserved when they first started, so why not get the due? Secondly, having seen some of these reformed
bands perform again, it’s heartening to see them get adulation for their
amazing work. It’s fun to see them having
fun in front of big enthusiastic crowds instead of grinding through night 45 of
some epic tour across the U.S. in some shitty club with shitty sound opening
for some horribly mismatched band in front of 22 people. If these bands actually do release new
material, it’s difficult to have expectations.
Sometimes it disappoints, like the Pixies
new album a couple of years ago, yet when they do pick up right where they
left off, nothing can be sweeter. Lush
are back!
I have
been debating for weeks about whether or not to write about this record. I have this debate to some extent always,
because as I am always on the fence about the effectiveness of sharing my
opinions on music and the quality of my writing abilities. Yet in this case, I am so happy that Lush are
back that I want to shout it out to the world! Plus, they begin again with an
EP! This is how we were initially
introduced to them, so it’s exciting to see a 4AD-style sleeve jacketing the nearly lost art form of the four
song EP, which helped introduce me to a million great bands back in the late
80s and early 90s.
Hearing
the incredibly distinctive guitar work and vocals of Miki Berenyi and Emma
Anderson launch this EP on the love plea “Out of Control” is like a breath
of fresh air. It’s a striking reminder that
this band was wholly unique when they came along and they still are today. “Lost Boy” follows with pure heartbreak and
loss and an abrupt ending making one wonder if this is about Acland. Meanwhile, “Burnham Beeches” is a breezy and
summery song seeking solace in isolation with an interesting trumpet solo. Lastly, the quietly orchestrated “Rosebud” sounds
like a creepy night time lullaby (aren’t they all creepy?).
Lush
are back! Blind Spot has the most in common with their early EPs, but with
the to-the-point clarity of their final two albums, the flawless Split and the straight ahead pop of Lovelife. Lush are back, so please spend the money for
their record and to see them perform.
Adore them while they are with us.
Lush "Out of Control"
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