Great Music and Bad Advice from The Lonely Forest
New EP sets stage for The Lonely Forest major label debut.
The Lonely Forest
The Lonely Forest EP
Released on Sep 14, 2010
It was once believed that a new technology called television would spell the end of radio broadcasting. That was when TV first came on the scene, many years before The Buggles enlightened us about video having a murderous effect on radio stars. Regardless, once considered an enemy it is fascinating that radio stations everywhere frequently run commercials for television shows. Effectively, they are running advertisements that promote turning off the radio. Seems like bad advice.
The same is true of the first song on The Lonely Forest’s eponymous new EP. The song titled, “Turn Off This Song and go Outside,” suggests you stop listening to the band’s new release. That is bad advice. Though it only really has three songs, four if you count a :58 second interlude called “Ramshackle House” or five if you count a second, acoustic rendering of track one, take the time to listen. You’ll be glad you did.
The band, which hails from the Pacific Northwest, is the first signing to Trans Records, an Atlantic imprint headed by Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie. He found the after the release of their second full-length album “We Sing the Body Electric.” At first Walla was interested in producing the band but then he decided to take things a step further and started his own label to nurture their development.
The first song on the E.P. is clearly a stand-out track but all four are very good. “Turn Off This Song and go Outside,” is reminiscent of the Kings of Leon while “I Don’t Want to Live There” pays homage to REM with singer/guitarist/keyboardist John Van Deusen echoing Michael Stipe’s distinctive sound.
The biggest complaint about The Lonely Forest EP is that it’s too short. Just a teaser for the upcoming full-length release tentatively titled “Arrows,” this little gem whets the listener’s appetite but leaves their bellies empty and growling.
High Point
Track one on the EP, “Turn Off This Song and go Outside.”
Low Point
That track one is only followed by tracks 2-5. It leaves the listener wanting more.
Posted by Mike Stern on Sep 14, 2010 @ 7:07 am
