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From the desk of Frankie • Sept. 2003
Frankie Hagan
Off Like A Prom Dress

   The sound that is created by the Lost Patrol could be described as the Cranberries as arranged by Chris Isaak with just a splash of surf. The presence of retro cool is obvious, as is the bleak Gen-X lyrical slant. The Lost Patrol is not the stuff of crowded dance floors, but hauntingly thoughtful mood music that might work in a film score for some atypical teen flick to be played in the background when the guy starts to think about why he lost the girl. For that reason alone, movie producers should pay attention. This unintentional feel is evidenced in "It's All in My Head," "Hands Tied," and "Broken Blossom."
     
   The truest surf styled track on this collection is "Shimmy," which hints of that quintessential Dick Dale influence that all reverb enthusiasts seem to have. The arrangements are fresh, and do not suffer from monotony of tone, even though a darkly pensive mood seems to be maintained throughout the presented set. Pay attention to the selections "Grey Day" and "Something I Don't Know" for clever lyrics and instrumentation. "So Long" seems to be a tribute piece to a departed friend, seamlessly fitting the fabric of this album.
    
    Danielle Kimak-Stauss has a voice that takes you to the empty place behind your heart within five seconds, and supplies the percussion to keep it beating. She is perfectly matched with the material. Stephen Masucci with Joe Pascarell, between guitar and much more, create the sound of ghostly surf music that pervades and defines this CD, as well as qualifies it for a review from this magazine. The combination of moody, deeply personal original material with solid vocals and instrumentation makes this album an interesting purchase, as well as making you appreciate the sunshine a little bit more.
~ Frankie Hagan.

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