LAMB
FEAR OF FOURS
ALBUM FONTANA, MERCURY RELEASE: MAY 10, 1999, JULY, 1999 (USA AND AUSTRALASIA) REVIEW: JUNE 11, 1999
The fascinating Manchester duo Lamb is back. On May 10 they released the follow-up to the critically acclaimed self entitled debut. "Lamb" had at least two-three really shimmering songs.
"Fear of Fours" works better as a whole and contains lots of good songs. Soft ballads, slightly crazy energy outbursts and inspiring instrumental compositions build a varied album. "Fly" from the "Psycho" soundtrack is definitely the best track. However, the single choice "B Line" didn't impress me that much.
Lamb is not extreme, but it is still a good idea to approach them carefully. The music might need a couple of listening rounds before you really enjoy it. And try to be in the right mood.
Lamb is easy to recognize with their unique sound. And if you can't identify their music, you only need to hear Lamb's cute singer Lou Rhodes' weird voice once. According to the band, it became even weirder while they recorded "Fear of Fours". Lou Rhodes pregnancy affected her singing in all sorts of ways.
I'm sure you can put all sorts of labels on Lamb, like electronic, trip hop, drum'n'bass, pop, modern jazz and so forth. But Lamb is the kind of band that just doesn't allow you to place them somewhere. They exist in a different universe, in several musical territories at the same time, without (too much) confusion. Somehow they keep everything together.
No doubt, you can track down lots of bands with originality these days. But few who are really worth listening to. And even fewer as much as Lamb.
MIKAEL KAHRLE