Lemon Jelly have been around since 2000 and “Lost Horizons” is there sophomore album released in 2002. This band is quite obscure, so if you are considering purchasing this album I know it’s available at amazon.com. Lemon Jelly is a duo that consists of mellow, electronic music with minor influences of light jazz, space rock, and lounge. When I first listened to this album I thought it was smooth and mellow. There isn’t really anything to hate about this album, it’s mellow and calm. I think that if you are a risky purchaser and you enjoy easy listening lounge music than you should just go ahead and buy this, because Lemon Jelly makes incredible back round music.
This album is easy going, mellow, peaceful, playful, and most of all fun to listen to. There are no real vocals, but there are some voice recordings. For example, in the song “Spacewalk” there is an old recording sampled before the song starts, then back round music starts to play and eventually the song explodes. This is basically how every song works. There are voice recordings throughout all of these songs. I guess this can get tedious if I need some actual vocals. However “Lost Horizons” is very effective if you need soft, mellow electronic music that doesn’t sound the same. This album has so many catchy hooks and melodies it is incredible. Some of these rhythms and melodies will get stuck in your head for weeks. Lemon Jelly has so many of these catchy, upbeat songs it’s amazing. There are a ton of odd breaks and electronic beats to make this album fun, and care free. Although these songs are catchy and fun there is something about this album that doesn’t want me to come back for more. Once I get into this album I can’t come out of it for days, but the problem is getting into it. Seven out of Eight of these songs are playful, upbeat tunes so if I want something emotional and intense this is a bad choice. The thing is that Lemon Jelly can be very effective if you need something electronic, playful, and mellow, but if you need something emotional and compelling than this album doesn’t do the job. The nice upbeat melodies of “Nice Weather For Ducks” to the easy going “Spacewalk” this album is interesting. “Experiment Number Six” is the only haunting and creepy track on the album. It has an eerie feel to it and it is a very experimental tune. All in all these songs follow the same pace, playful, easy going, and mellow.
Lemon Jelly uses a lot of instruments. “Lost Horizons” isn’t a very complex album but it loaded with different instruments to back up its sound. The acoustic guitar is the main key to the album. If you do not enjoy the acoustic guitar than you will not like this album. It plays a huge roll in the album and it plays beautiful riffs and melodies. Of course there are a ton of backing instruments to support the guitar. Flutes, trumpets, bass, keyboards, train sounds, harmonicas, and flugelhorn’s make up the backing effects on the album. “Nice Weather For Ducks” is the most upbeat, fast paced song on the album and it features wonderful keyboard and trumpet playing. This song is a highlight simply because it is very joyful, and the backing instruments dominate the track, there is no acoustic guitar to be found. “Return To Patagonia” uses some odd train like effects, saxophones and bass. “Elements” is probably the most easy going song off the album. The main influence is the acoustic guitar, but the flugelhorn’s and harmonicas tie everything together. The flute even plays a large roll in “Experiment Number Six.” Lemon Jelly uses a tone of instruments, if you give this album your full attention you will realize how complex this album really is. “Lost Horizons” is equally effective for back round music, just because it is so soft and soothing. Usually electronic music isn’t very detailed, but unlike any other mellow electronic band Lemon Jelly manage to put out strong, down tempo, peaceful electronic tunes while mixing in slight jazz influences and a strong brass section. Lemon Jelly is very airy and spacey, so if you don’t like a lot of unneeded noise than this album will satisfy you.
These tracks run from about six minutes to nine minutes, so these songs are lengthy.“Lost Horizons” makes you feel like you’re walking on the beach, you are the only one at the beach and the music takes you into a peaceful world, and once you get in you never will want to leave. Once again, the problem is getting in. This album takes a while to get used to, it’s hard to get into because the songs feel upbeat at first, with nothing else. “Elements” was the only song I was interested in at the first listen, just because it explodes with flugelhorn’s and harmonicas. I didn’t used to like “Spacewalk” and “Closer” because I thought they were dull and uninspired. Now after listening to this album for a few months they have become my favorite tracks. Please don’t judge this album if you only listen to it once because it will just seem like dull, electronic music.
Overall “Lost Horizons” satisfied me. This is brilliant playful, electronic music that will satisfy those who want some nice peaceful music to relax to. Lemon Jelly have also been described as lounge music. If you want some similar bands I’d say that Lemon Jelly is similar to Zero 7 and Air. The only difference would be that Lemon Jelly has no vocalist, and there music is more spacey and peaceful. Another brilliant thing about “Lost Horizons” is that you can use this for back round music, or if you give this your full attention and it still works. “Lost Horizons” is a beautiful album, the melodies are catchy, the music is spacey and the songs eventually explode into something brilliant. Remember this music won’t work if you want something depressing or complex, Lemon Jelly create simple music that you can enjoy. When some people hear the word electronic, they immediately think dance music, however this album is not dance music so consider yourself warned. If you are into electronic or lounge music this is for you, once again “Lost Horizons” consists of playful, mellow electronic tunes.
Overall Rating 4/5
Album Art - http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/89/7b/465608-music-resized200.jpg
Pros :
Relaxing and mellow
A lot of instruments blend together to make beautiful electronic tunes
Good back round music
Replay Value
Cons:
Takes a while to get into
Sometimes this album is hard to listen to
Recommended Tracks :
“Spacewalk”
“Nice Weather For Ducks”
“Experiment Number Six”
