LEONARD'S LAIR
cd reviews • 2006
Lonesome Sky
Leonard's Lair

4 out of 5

   The growing stature of Howling Bells should surely do The Lost Patrol the power of good, considering the similarity in their styles. Now on their fourth full-length offering, this New York quartet can claim to have nailed the atmospheric gothic twang down first too. In Danielle Kimak Stauss, they even have the requisite frontwoman with the presence and ability to carry off all manner of moods. By turns the music is ethereal ('Cup At The Krater'), croaky and sensuous ('Heaven Herein') and rumbling and strident ('Run Wild'). On the title track, Stauss sings of wanting be kissed "like in a movie" and it's a glorious, swooning pop moment. Other great things happen on the echo-laden production of 'Velveteen' whilst 'These Eyes' is a useful sparse ballad to close an already excellent set. 'Lonesome Sky' arrives fully formed as a polished record that needs no embellishment to push it towards a mainstream audience.

BACK TO REVIEWS