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Lou BarlowEmoh Domino/Inertia The return of Lou Barlow - former leader of nineties lo-fi indie rock band Sebadoh and the slightly more beatsy Folk Implosion - is appropriately titled 'Emoh'. It is a time when overly emotive lyrics and gentle/dramatic pop has enjoyed a commercial renaissance, and if there is any justice Barlow will cash in with this album. There's nothing arrogant in his taking the name emo(h) for this album, for the last fifteen years or so Barlow has been a specialist of underground and overly self-conscious love songs, heart-on-your-cuddly-cardigan-sleeve emotion tied to melodies to make the delicate organ melt. This album reveals not a lot has changed, apart from the availability of better quality home recording tools. The production values depart nicely from the DIY sound but not the ethic, which maintains the warmth and intimacy of previous efforts without the fuzz. The depth and lustre of his pop gems are well displayed and the songs themselves for the most part catchy and cool. The opener Holding Back The Year brings with it a lively gait and upbeat thwack by way of percussion, and Caterpillar Girl is reminiscent of Folk Implosion bare beats during the verse to peak in a glory chorus of overdubbed Lous. Never one to shy away from cheese, perhaps it is his endearing ability to tap into the wonder and fragility of love, as in Puzzle, that saves him from becoming submerged in it. That, and his deft ability with melody. In all, 'EMOH' is a strong album with many good moments, and perhaps one truly great song.  |
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