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Last Days of
April: If You Lose It
Last Days of Aprils biography notes that if you compare the latest album, If You Lose It to their first couple of records, there is no way of telling its even the same band. That makes me wonder? Would I like LDOAs earlier stuff? Because the ten smooth tracks on If You Lose It have won me over. Yes, this Stockholm-based indie rock band certainly took their time polishing this gem of an album. Right off the bat, the first track had me thinking Built to Spill meets Dinosaur Jr., but more poppy and with more concentration on sonic nuances. The opening track Its On Everything showcases two main guitar riffs when lead singer/songwriter Karl Larrson comes in with easy- going, lazy vocals that garner comparison to J. Mascis to Modest Mouses Isaac Brocks, and to Spraklehorses Mark Linkous. The first three tracks build a solid foundation for what is to come on this album, but its the middle tracks that highlight Larrsons unique songwriting. The music borrows from indie rocks roots yet has its own flavor; it feels a little less harsh, more mature. The fourth track, If You, is a heavenly ballad, simple but sweet with an absolutely romantic guitar riff. The next track Me and the Plague kicks up the album a notch with double-timed drums, lead-in feedback guitar solos, and hopeless love loss lyrics: but you turned hours into days, and after weeks you were so kind to let me see, that time would only show what we would never be, its so sad to see you go. But ultimately, the best line comes in Your Anyone: then the guy who wishes a whore, would love him more. I know it doesnt seem that exciting, but the poignancy is made when this line is uttered with the music stripped down to a rhythm guitar before the songs finale, just to give you time to think about that line. It took a few listens, but I got it. Youll get it too. Its the little details in the arrangements and the production that make this album good for the ears; you have to tune in or you miss the subtlety. If You Lose It may not tread new musical frontiers, but it definitely gives a facelift to its format. Its hard not to say good things about an album youve listened to four times in a row and still want to give it another spin. Good work my Swedish friends.
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