The Lodger - Life Is Sweet
Not to be mistaken with Lodger, a Finnish band known for their flash music videos and cynical and nihilistic lyrics, The Lodger from Leeds are fresh faced and bring to the industry some melodic pop. Following in the footsteps of acts such as The Kaiser Chiefs and The Arctic Monkeys, it seems Northern England is flourishing with guitar based pop rock bands, with The Lodger being among some of the brightest stars to shine.
You may have actually never heard of this band, but they are definitely making a name for themselves all over the world with their first USA tour wrapped up last October. ‘Life is Sweet’ is the bands second album and looks set to make some kind of an impact on our nations music. The band began with the idea and aspirations of one young man, Ben Siddall. With his creativity, ambition, hard work and dedication The Lodger came to life.
It is Siddall’s vocals provided within the mix of tracks on this release. He has the ability to sing ballads, more soulful number and yet still keep the more electric numbers lively. Unfortunately, the vocals do not sound anything special that we haven’t heard a million and one times before, but still keep a listener intrigued.
The songs on ‘Life is Short’ do not vary a great deal in musical terms, but will still provide a decent listen for 35 minutes. Between ‘A Hero's Welcome’ with the melody and strumming of guitars, the acoustic based ‘An Unwelcome Guest’ and the jumpy beats of ‘A Year Since Last Summer’ and ‘Nothing Left (To Say)’ there are sure to be some tracks to interest you. The one that did it for me was ‘My Finest Hour’ as this is by all means the number with the catchiest chorus. Another track of interest was the acoustic ‘Honey’. With the incredibly fast paced vocals, they seems so fast in fact you will begin to wonder when he finds the time to breathe, and the mix of instruments you will be pleasantly surprised. This track has everything, wind sounds and strings provided add to the unhappiness of the singer being hurt by someone he cared for.
The gloomy ‘Running Low’ feels like walking through the rain, before getting completely soaked by that annoying car you know got too close to the pavement and aimed to soak you with the puddle. It is the underpinning bass riff by Joe Margetts that keeps this track from becoming anything other than heartache. Even with the guitars and keys attempting to brighten the track, its gloomy sensation remains constant. In a similar way ‘Famous Last Words’ attacks the album with another depressing track but even more unhappy vocals.
There are happier and more optimistic tracks in the more soulful ‘Falling Down;’ the plucking of guitar strings welcomes an ever improved and unexpected melody. It wavers from ballad chords to more electric riffs for something a littler brighter. ‘The Conversation’ has much more electricity pulsating through the track, while ‘The Good Old Days’ has an intro to grasp you from the get go, and if you get captured it hooks you for the remainder of the track.
As a make or break second album, this reviewer is still undecided.