Lovedrug Pretend You're Alive Release Date : July 27, 2004 Label: The Militia Group Rating: Andy doesn't dig rating stuff. This is a disc chock full of dream pop, flowing and dingling with its guitars and jumbled bass action. The opening track, "In Red," is drifty, with a teetering guitar noise. Vocalist Michael Shepard's voice is a bit like Unified Theory, Sunny Day Real Estate or perhaps Mercury Rev, a high whine. It's nasally and pinched, very unique and emotional. The music seems to be on the edge of pseudo-goth with an indie-alt edge - and I don't mean that in a corny way. It just has an opulent, shadowy vibe to it. It has anthemic 80's-like harmonies and 90's-style grunge-era ballad guitars as well so it really is a grand blend of influences, seemingly culled from the history of music that occurred through the band members' lives. Cure meets Crowded House meets the above-mentioned bands. Some choruses come across as a bit monotonous and tame, but they change into these floaty portions and guitar assaults that save them and then some. "Spiders" brings out more of the vocal qualities - high-up, warbling. There are unexpected brief stops in the music while the vocals continue. It's a great, jarring effect that draws you in if you'd drifted off for a moment. The songs are poetically wordy, not sounding pretentious. Just clever. The title track features feedback, drums, piano, soft vocals - very pretty. Parts of the album are so awesome, and parts are so bland, it's kind of frustrating. But the parts I like, I reeeeeally like. They're superb. The good outweighs the bland, so it's still worth a listen for sure. The unique bits surrounding the generic bits are beautiful. But those damn radio-ballad-like choruses need to stop! Carry on with the spine-tingling compositions throughout the whole songs, guys! "Pandamoranda" starts with more feedback but quickly descends into a jammy, grungey rock tune with angry guitars and strained, unconventional-melodied vocals, and even some yelling. Keeping with that grungey influence, it's a bit reminiscent of Soundgarden. SHepard's voice alone makes this worth a listen. "Angels With Enemies" starts off with a yokel-country band sound but then gets a bit schlocky, if that makes sense. Why?? There's a lot of words that pop up in multiple songs, but I don't know if I should take stock in that. Just something I noticed. Chemical, autumn, red, storms, heaven, hell, summer, angels, demons, kisses... And I also have to mention the album artwork is gorgeous, with a translucent cover and parchment paper with copper-printed figures as ghosts, or removing their ghost 'skins' it seems. Gorgeous. So just a bit of consistency on the musical-cool is needed to make this band over-the-top, but they're on their way. Lyric of choice : From "Pretend You're Alive," I will panic in the evening underneath the crashing moon / so fall in love while you can still hold your head up high / and pretend that you're alive again. Song of choice : Track 11, "Candy," has a plodding fun sound and great piano. Good tune. The disc opener, "In Red," starts fun, but my money's on "Candy." -Andy Scheffler Elsewhere Lovedrug website Published : July 4, 2004.