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Lies Damned Lies
The Human Dress
©1993 Sticky Music
I first learned about
this band through none other than Phantom Tollbooth. I guess all things eventually come back. :^) Anyway, a few year years
back, after downloading a couple of their mp3's and really enjoying what I heard, I was happy to find that Paste Music was
a US distributor for them. They are no longer, but I scooped up their only four releases at the time. Good thing I did! What
a treat for the ears!
Comprised of three members, Steve Butler, Charlie Irvine, and Dot Reid, LDL (as they're called now)
are an earthy, acoustic ensemble whose harmonies are pinpoint and beautiful...perfect on a rainy morning over a pot of coffee.
What impresses me about this album, The Human Dress, is how tight the quality of musicianship is for a live album. Recorded
at St. Silas Church, Glasgow, Scotland, the acoustics are tightly confined and warm. My favorite track is "Have Mercy". A
simply articulated song, the lyrics ask for God's mercy in times of senselessness:
"Kill a man with a gun // Kill a woman
with your hands
Leave a child on its' own // Then make me understand
Have mercy on them // They do not know what
they do
Your country need you, son // And your kind may not last
Use the sins of the father // To make the future
from the past"
"Deportees" is an a cappella number that brings out their vocal strengths. "The Divine Image" also
has a rich harmony with very tasteful acoustic guitar and percussion as the backdrop. "I Can't Ask For More" has a catchy
percussive vibe to it. There is something about faith in God when you read the writings of believers from overseas, especially
Europe. They don't appear bound by the trite denominational leanings that divide the American churches over doctrine. Many
believers hunger for a deeper relationship with our living God. I can't help but think that some of our European brothers
and sisters have gotten a better grasp of the things of God though. In a time when "worship" music is a market-driven business,
and many believers are easily swayed by the "feel good" lyrics that help us lift our hearts to God, we are surrounded by water-colored
paintings rather than oil-based rich portraits representing our faith. In other words, the "Christian" market, for lack of
a better word, will continue to push this "mile-wide-and-an-inch-deep" Christian machine as long as we keep buying it. Don't
get me wrong, water color has its' place. Bands like LDL, Iona, Over The Rhine, VOL, etc... seem more in touch with the every
day bleeding of this life, the life that we have to live out our faith in. This is this writer's opinion, of course.
LDL
sounds somewhat like Peter Gabriel playing solo in a small nightclub, though much mellower. They have a mature sound that
seems effortlessly comfortable in whatever venue they play. They recently played a succession of "living room" gigs. Oh how,
I wish I lived in Scotland! Avail yourself of this band. You will not be disappointed!
http://www.stickymusic.co.uk/index.cfm
9.5 of 10 clicks
thecannyshark
Aug 2007
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