Allow me to apologize for the dearth of articles over the past week. It is July and we are all enjoying these salad days.

Minor transgressions aside, I want to redirect your attention to a band you may be unfamiliar with, The Love Language. Last month they released their second album, “Libraries”, which has received favorable reviews. Personally, I had the fortune of seeing The Love Language last summer. Their show was energetic, melodic, and somber all at the same time. All of those words I would use to describe their new offering. The Love Language is a unique band that ought to be appreciated for what it is. Their sound is nothing that is representative of a larger movement in music, but rather a throwback/revision of 50’s/60’s pop. This is no commercial endeavor like so many groups today, but an exercise of musical expression. Seeing the seven-member group live confirms the fact that they genuinely love playing music and sharing it with others together.

What was originally a musical project designed for an ex-girlfriend as a target audience reached new heights last autumn when the band signed with the acclaimed Merge Records. “Libraries” is an album that allows songwriter Stuart McLamb to continue to show off his narrative skills in addition to his vocal talents which lead to some cool bits of music. In “Anthophobia” McLamb declares, “Well in case you’re wondering/ I’m not afraid of the dark/I’m not afraid to make sparks” a reference to a song of their self-titled album. Moments like that are what make The Love Language worth listening to–McLamb’s voice (as a singer and writer) is earnest and communicates on levels that few songwriters can. It helps that the mini-orchestra backing him up devises addictive guitar hooks and throbbing drum beats.

“Libraries” is a solid second album from a band that will hopefully release more in a similar vein in the years to come. It’s an interesting evolution from the lo-fi self-titled album, the sound is crisp and some of the energy lost. Instead of the energetic, rambling hits from the last album, McClamb gives us swooning, thoughtful ballads like “Blue Angel” and “Wilmont”. The Love Language have managed to bring such a distinct soulful expression and communicate it in a way that hearkens back to an older era of American music, one that predates even the Baby Boomer generation. It is stuff worth investing into, as you will continue to appreciate it more and more.If you like the video below (“Lalita” off of their first album), then you’ll love this album.

Libraries Album Download: Here (link has been tested–I know the file title is different, but it’s the album)

Interview with frontman Stu: here

Explanation of individual songs on the album by the band: here

Enjoy.

James

Photo Credit: WOXY