Live Poets
Society – Square One (Sugarbeat Music)
Live Poets Society is singer-songwriter-guitarist
JeeWee Donkers and keyboardist-flutist Peter Holen, and on their debut record,
drummer Frank Schuuring and bass player Rob Weenink have joined them. They
remind me of a clutch of late ‘70s groups who appeared the same time as the new
wave broke, but who seemed to have evolved from a classic pop tradition rather
than punk. Groups like The Korgis and New Musik spring to mind, and Live Poets
Society share a talent for strong tunes and songs that stick around long after
they’re finished. Also, partly because of the instrumentation, they’re very
good at building a melancholy mood. Nothing too dark, but it’s there, all the
same.
“Square One” plays like a proper album should. It
flows beautifully, one track to the next, and the quality of the material never
wanes. Opening tune “Sucker
for Your Smile” outlines their approach. Keys and guitars
combine, and there’s a hint of Lloyd Cole’s Commotions or third album
Television in the delivery. This is definitely pop music, but it’s the good
stuff, and worth getting excited about. “Draw Me Closer” begins like an old Chris Isaak song
before other soul-rock influences come into play, and a pristine guitar solo
opens the door. “Pretty Complicated” is jazzy and upbeat, “Rub It In” features some great
Traffic-like flute, and final flourish, “Trust in You”, wraps things up in fine style.
Simon M.
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