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You may remember the first Parker And Lily record being
reviewed here in Hybrid some time ago. I was just a reader then,
but I was intrigued enough to go out and purchase the record.
I've played that record many times over the years. I bought the
second record when it was released a couple of years ago. It didn't
appeal to me quite as much as the first record, but was still
a staple in my listening for quite a few months. I am happy to
report that the new record, The Low Lows, is all that I
had hoped it would be.
Back are the strangely eerie keyboards that drift above sparse
rhythms. The songs are thickly orchestrated and full of beautiful
sounds. At times, there are distinct Americana tones to the music
without ever invoking a feeling of country music - more of a southern
sound. Parker's vocals are drenched in reverbs thicker than Phil
Spector ever dreamed of, further obscuring the mumbled lyrical
lines. The lyrics are amazing on this record, showing real growth
in Parker's writing, and it is definitely worth the time to sit
and listen and try to cipher them out of the mix. "I shine
at night time/ I light up a party when I arrive/ This suit of
fire is so bright that I might burn your eyes when I decide to
Flame On." Poetry is more inherent on this record than on
previous outings, relying more on metaphor than on telling the
story of the doomed lovers in literal fashion.
As the story goes, this record is the end of the trilogy of the
romance of Parker and Lily, who began their courtship on the heady
romantic Hello Halo. Things began falling apart on Here
Comes Winter, as the couple found themselves beginning to
doubt their love, while continuing to revel in it at the same
time. The Low Lows is most definitely the end of the relationship.
The mood is darker, more somber, than ever before, even lacking
in the occasional moment of loving clarity. There are songs of
regret and songs of vehemence… but the overall feeling is
that of giving it your best shot, and still falling short. Pure
disappointment. This is not how love is supposed to end.
-L. Keane
Track Listing:
1. The Low Lows
2. I Am A Gun
3. June Gloom
4. User's Guide
5. The Last Good Night
6. Suit Of Fire
7. Invisible Cities
8. Candy's Last Day
9. Smashing Party
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Parker
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