Lovedrug - The Sucker Punch Show
Record Label: The Militia Group
Release Date: October 28, 2008
The first review I saw for this album was in Relevant Magazine. For those of you unfamiliar with it, it's a fairly liberal Christian magazine. They used to do full out album reviews, but recently they've changed it to a recommendation kind of thing. The November/December issue had a recommendation for The Sucker Punch Show where they seem to assume that the "angry Christian songwriter Michael Shepard" is showing us that "if we just let God be sovereign for once, everything will turn out OK in the end." Maybe they've got it right, but it sure doesn't seem like it to me.
Sure, some of the lyrics could take on a bit of a religious tone, but there are few lyrics that couldn't be twisted around to do that. As far as I've ever known, Lovedrug hasn't been an outwardly religious band by any means. Their lyrics do, however, carry quite an impact. Whether they're seemingly talking about depression in "Only One" or being down and out in "Broken Home," they always get the point across. In fact, in "Broken Home" Shepard delivers the line "I think I lost religion when I stopped believing in bedtime stories." They don't really hold back on the taboo either. Look at the chorus of the aforementioned song: "While I'm sleeping there's a snake at the door, his eyes wide open and he's ready to score, She's a slut, I noticed." "Everyone Needs a Halo" has some pretty interesting lyrics. Through this song, they've actually won my first annual "Most Cryptic Use Of The Word Semen" award.
On the first listen to this album, I was put off. It just didn't have the feel I was expecting. However, after a few listens, it grew on me. I was enamored with 2007's Everything Starts Where It Ends, and I think this album has grown enough on me to compete with it. There's a good mix of songs on this album. It has both the eclectic rockers and the slower dark songs that make their sound so enjoyable. There are, however, differences in the sound. Parts of The Sucker Punch Show take on a much grungier sound than was present on the last album. This is especially apparent in the livelier tracks, and may be because of the large part the bass plays. Bassist Thomas Bragg makes his presence known, and this lively of a bass presence isn't something I hear all that often anymore.
I think we all know what we're attracted to in Lovedrug though: Shepard's odd, but great vocals. With his vocals subtly commanding the vocals, I'm pretty sure that he could have just about anything backing him up and it still be listenable. I'm not saying that about this band though, in any way. Every musician in this band does their part and they do it well. No matter what the other musicians are doing though, if Shepard is singing, he's got your attention. It doesn't matter whether you're on one of the slower or more upbeat songs, he'll take your attention and carry it with him.
Even after a few member changes, Lovedrug has delivered again. I'm fairly confident that with Shepard at the wheel, this band can do no wrong. They've still got all the same oddities, the same quirks. In some places they're more pronounced, some less, but either way, it's the same old Lovedrug you've come to know and love. If you can get over the initial shift in sound and delve headfirst into this album, I can almost guarantee it will grow on you. I originally had my doubts, but once again, Lovedrug have proven themselves
I really dig the first half - like a lot. But damn, who could've guessed that the second half would be such a snooze-fest? I loved the last two releases, and "Everything" is definitely in my top ten albums, but I guess every band is allowed that one misstep.
I really didn't know this album was this disliked. Like i said in the review, I didn't like it much and thought it was pretty bad. After I let it grow on me I liked it quite a bit though.
I was about to post my own review on this when I stumbled upon yours. I don't think it deserves all the poor marks everyone seems to be giving it. I agree with you, it's a hard listen to swallow, Lovedrug always has been, but once you really sit down and listen you'll learn to appreciate it. Good review.
I really didn't know this album was this disliked. Like i said in the review, I didn't like it much and thought it was pretty bad. After I let it grow on me I liked it quite a bit though.
I'm still in that phase of letting it grow on me. I thought the last few tracks were miserable.
I loved how you addressed their use of "semen" in the lyrics. That song's really awkward for me to listen to with my mom.
This is my least favorite Lovedrug album. I had to listen to the other 2 repeatedly before I loved them, but after many listenings I'm just not there with this one. Maybe I'll get there eventually, but right now I'm both disappointed and happy. Disappointed that the album didn't live up to what I was expecting, but happy because it's still a quality album.
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