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{ True Madness Magazine }
Music Reviews
The Lovelies, White Leather
Force MP, 2003
By James Eddy
There is something about women making kick ass rock music that seems to stir something in me. I picked up White Leather after seeing the Lovelies on a whim in downtown Iowa City one time, thinking that they had a certain pure energy that seemed to the be feminine equivalent to Lou Reeds’ oozing poetic strength. I remember simply stated melodies that would hook in your brain underlining very soothing female vocals, and yet having a very indefinable aggressive edge. Keep in mind this was just a single guitar, bass, and almost invisible drum beats that were live. I was totally thrilled to hear them, and couldn’t wait to analyze there every waning line when I got home with my fresh copy of White Leather.
I was in for a shock; the album had little of minimalist proto-punk posturing that the live show feed off of. Rather, it’s a much larger sounding album, feeding to an almost stadium rock feel while still making sure that each hook is just as memorable as the last. Lead singer Liv Lovely’s vocals are still very overpowering, even on this highly produced version of the much more steamy live performance, complemented by fellow Lovely Barb’s harmonies to a T. It’s not a surprise that the first thing we are given on the CD is Liv’s sensual “I can see your red car,” introducing the music itself almost as secondary, a backdrop for a hypnotic female duo. This isn’t to knock the music of course; while it’s not the style I was initially expecting, the group stretches it’s craft with the up most care. Their rock knowledge pails, however, when put up against the strands of lines that are both familiar and mysterious. “I wanna get myself converted for you,” Liv croons in the strutting “Catalina.” I’ve listened to this CD a lot recently, and it just flows so well from beginning to end, concluding with the most swaying song on the whole album, the undeniably hip “Taken.” While I miss some of that toned down sexuality I saw live, White Leather is a pleasing outing from start to finish, which is rare. This leaves one finally to wonder how many sides The Lovelies actually have.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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