LILYS A Brief History of Amazing Letdowns (Slumberland)
"Swirliesque"
would aptly describe the Lilys if only they were a little more "out
there." As it stands, "Lillyesque" will have to suffice - a fine
adjective, for on this six-song EP, the Lilys offer five specimens of
pretty-pop-with-an-edge (and "Evel Kenievel," an uninteresting attempt to
be out there). The droning basslines might make the edge dull, but not
necessarily the music; they justly compliment the vocals, which never
betray enough emotion to bring them out of the muddy mix. The guitars
flail their way through the anchor-heavy rhythm section and wrap
themselves around a singer who doesn't seem to care how badly he's been
hurt. "Ginger," the opening track, is an exquisite example of the genre
that I'm sure exists to describe this sort of music. The other songs
follow suit, though, aside from "jenny and lew and me," not quite as
successfully. Displaying the caution of a person who has been let down
once too often, the Lilys shy away from risks. No complaints here. You've
heard it all before, just like you've heard a significant other say "I
love you" before - which is to say, it might still matter. (Andrew
DuBois)