Lucius. Lucius

Lucius can be encountered on this blog for the first time in 2014 when I wrote on the duo's debut album, 'Wildewoman'. Except for mentioning the band's two singers as part of Roger Waters' backing band in 2018, all Lucius albums were reviewed by Erwin Zijleman. Until today that is.

Since 2014 many female duos have stepped up, from Wet Leg to Ohmme/Finom and The Secret Sisters. For me they sort of eclipsed Lucius. Also 'Lucius' slipped past my attention in the host of albums released earlier this month. Looking back, I decided to give the album a try and see.

It is an album that surprised me. Not at the beginning. 'Final Days' more or less sounded like what I expected from Lucius, besides being attracted immediately. From there the trip started. Lucius is band but foremost Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe draw a lot of attention to themselves through the interaction of their voices. They sing together, weave around each other, step in and step out of a duet time and again, making an intricate pattern of their voices that through the host of overdubs can go everywhere. Voices that made Roger Waters' Pink Floyd songs and the songs from his solo album 'Is This The Life We Really Want? 'come alive no little, not speaking of the duo's theatrical presentation supporting the live show. (Of all the artists mentioned the duo collaborated with, Waters is not mentioned in the album's bio. Too much recent upheaval?)

The music on 'Lucius' is extremely varied. Where 'Old Tape' is an alternative rocker featuring Adam Granduciel of The War on Drugs, other songs are quiet and solitary. What 'Lucius' does foremost is invite listening. Not knowing what will happen next, while delivering a constant level of quality, keeps the listener in front of his speakers (or glued to his headset).

promo photo

For 'Lucius', the band, which includes Dan Molad, who also produced the album and Peter Lalish, went back to its beginning and took the helm into its own hands. Colleagues came out to assist in specific roles but what we hear is Lucius' essence. This includes a song like 'Orange Blossoms' that allows Laessig and Wolfe to meander over the music into one of the more beautiful songs of 'Lucius'. Their voices soar to great heights to land safely in the quieter parts.

Over the past years, I had sort of forgotten about Lucius. Except for the gentle reminders of Erwin, things were quiet here. Thanks to 'Lucius' the band is back in my musical universe with an album that is as subtle as it can be wild(e).

Except for the hideous cover art, I have nothing to complain about.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Lucius here:

https://ilovelucius.bandcamp.com/album/lucius