I know it’s supposed to be New Band Day, but I came across The Loves earlier and I got distraced. I had never heard about them, but I loved all the songs I could get my hands on. I learned that they weren’t new enough for New Band Day, so I was just about ready to write about a proper New Band when I read something that got me a bit pissy. I really have to get this off my chest first, I’ll write the real New Band Day post in a bit.
The very grumpy BBC Wales gave this band a shitty review, but they really do NOT deserve it. I know it’s from two years ago, but this is just one of a big group of reviewers who seem to have forgotten that sometimes it’s ok to relax and just have fun. How much of a cynical, pretentious buttface do you have to be to not enjoy The Loves’ upbeat and wonderfully catchy songs? It’s true that they have the last thirty-ish years to thank for their sound, but they do it with such, ehm, love and infectious enthusiasm.
They’re a sextet from Wales, their first album came out in 2004 and their next is ready for the public in two months. They mix the last three decades like they happened all at once and they sound fresher and a helluva lot more fun than many of the super edgy, experimental rock bands. “Love” reminds me of a compacter Polyphonic Spree, with its slightly corny but-you-secretly-want-to-believe-it chorus. My favorite one so far, “Depeche Mode” is a crazy amalgamation of eighties synth pop and California surf pop. You can download these and more songs from their myspace.
