Review Summary: Passionate, beautiful album. Which i recommend to anyone who wants to here some slow burning piano rock.
If I were to describe Lydia’s music in one word, the obvious choice would be beatiful. They make slow well crafted, piano driven rock. Not unlike Mae’s slower moments without the Christian undertones. A move to a major label is almost certainly in the air. Another obvious comparison has got to be Straylight Run, in that they mix the male/female vocal styles over a melodic base. The impressive artwork was also drawn by the same man who designed the Straylight Run full length.
On opener “Smile You’ve Won,” withdrawn vocals shimmer over a slow burning intro, this is probably Lydia’s heaviest song which really isn’t saying much but their not that kind of band. Dual Vocalists, Leighton and Maria, trade of in an emotive opener which draws parrelels with the anthemic, “Song About an Angel” by Sunny Day Real Estate. The near-eight minute "A Story for Supper" shows Lydia at their best; passionate, emotive and truly moving. The soft loud dynamics are often prevalent here particularly on “Her and Hayley” which winds and winds from the raw vocals of Leighton over the drums to a great wall of sound, with the transition seemingly effortless. Lydia create great layers of instruments in their music, the delayed clean guitars in “It’s In Your Blood” are backed by delicate, steady strings, there is a great ambient feel to this record, while also retaining a firm grounding in emotion. “A Camera Lens and Careful Days” is a poignant acoustic song that is another highlight. Everything on the album seems to be played with passion. Think of how everyhting on “Clarity” by Jimmy Eat World just seemed so raw and flawless.
Lydia will obviously not be for everyone. They are by no means an aggressive band and the vocals are for the most part extremely quiet and held back. But given the chance this album can produce something really special. Definitely one of my albums of 2005, even if I only discovered them a little later, they will soon rise out of their underground birth so I suggest you jump on the bandwagon beofre everyone else.
