A Brief History of Amazing Letdowns
is a brief mini-album of amazing songs. If
Kurt Heasley
's
Lilys
didn't have so many other stellar releases, this six-song album would be a crowning achievement. The first five tracks are stunning examples of pop perfection. The shoegazer feedback of the
My Bloody Valentine
-inspired
In the Presence of Nothing
has been pushed to the background; in the fore are crashing cymbals, pounding drums, fuzzy guitars, and sweet, gentle melodies. "Ginger" sets things on the right course, as
Heasley
harmonizes about keeping a lover's nose warm and uses lawn darts as a romantic metaphor amid raging, euphoric guitars and powerful, psychedelic musical flourishes. "Ycjcyaqfrj" slows things down a bit, but it's still an epic little arrangement, dreamy yet full of great dynamics. "Any Place I've Lived" is a masterpiece of "hey, hey" vocals and weepy, punchy chord progressions. "Jenny, Andrew & Me" and "Dandy" are equally superb, the former a noisy, messy treat, the latter a glorious ode fitted with endearing time-shifts. These first five tracks make for one of the finest song arcs about relationships and friendships one could find in the 1990s. Though "Evel Knievel" is a throwaway, it's easy to simply stop one's music-playing device before it starts up.
is an essential release for fans of
the Lilys
and indie fans in general. If music could define words, the first five songs here would be a pop/rock definition for the word beautiful. ~ Tim DiGravina