Album review – Andy Lehman & The Night Moves

Music — By Andrew Evans on 07/02/10

Despite Green Day’s American Idiot launching the concept album back into the public consciousness in 2004 they are, by definition, a tricky thing. Often found to crumble under the weight of their own self importance (almost anything by The Mars Volta) or quickly fall from the path of the over-riding theme (Sgt Pepper), it is with some amount of trepidation that I find Lowcountry is accompanied by three A4 pages that detail it’s every nuance.

It’s clear from these pages that an incredible amount of thought has gone into the back stories of the two characters in Lowcountry – Ally and her unnamed lover boy – however, intricate planning doesn’t always add up to musical gold.

It comes as a relief then that even upon first listen, it soon becomes obvious that Lowcountry is guilty of neither of the two aforementioned crimes. That’s not to say it is a spotless record – Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing is an unnecessary diversion into hard rock – but the South Carolina three-piece have, to their credit, produced an album on which there is much to cherish.

The opening quintet is a joy. Opener Ally Went Back delivers a strong introduction to the record’s lush production as well as Lehman’s soaring vocals. It is the young man’s lungs that often give these songs their moments of purest beauty – never more obvious than on the woozy, stripped back An Arrow Flew.

They can do catchy too. The pop rock of You Can Leave The Light On and Million To One showcase the trio’s way with a memorable tune and stand in stark contrast with the more reflective moments such as Moving With You, which, with it’s minor chords and lyrical refrain show an impressive maturity, with Lehman reflecting on: ‘..when love was new, and we had no clue, that we should hold tight what we held so loose’. It is just one in a number of impressive lyrical turns throughout Lowcountry.

That none of the final four songs are particularly memorable is rather a shame, because immediately before them comes the album’s best chorus. As light as a feather, I Couldn’t Take It is Lowcountry’s most assured moment, offering an intriguing glimpse at what this band could become if they were to cosy up to their more accessible meanderings.

Forget the back story. Throw away the pages of notes. Lowcountry doesn’t require such a gargantuan effort to enjoy as its makers let on. Yes, it’s a concept album, but don’t let that stop you from taking a chance with this lot – they may well be onto something.

7/10

You Can Leave The Light On (Clip)

Moving With You (Clip)

I Couldn’t Take It (Clip)