Lovedrug’s new album’s new alt

I wonder about why exactly a band would willingly put out an alternate album to one that’s already well appreciated. Such is the case with Lovedrug’s Sucker Punched, and the alternate album I listened to this past week.

While I did find it to be both enjoyable and unquestionably Lovedrug, something felt either uninspired or unfinished about it, which is fitting, what with it being an alt album. There is a certain charm to the fact that many of the alt songs are framed with dialog of the band members in the studio, and that earns a few bonus points. I think, however, that this would be somewhat of a turn-off for people who want to start getting into Lovedrug. For them, I’d recommend Everything Starts where it Ends. If, on the other hand, you already own that album, and the other ones, and you’ve seen the live, are a member of their fan club and visit their website twice a week for the message boards, then I’d be willing to bet that you’d want to buy this album.

It offers a unique perspective on both Lovedrug as artists and their latest album, something that I think avid fans would be appreciative of.
That said, the alt album, on its own, is okay, but lacking. The first half of it is actually quite good, with the opening two tracks, both alts, carrying catchy hooks. The down side starts toward the end, though, when the songs get a little too angsty or dark or whatever, and that turned me off. Some people may dig that, though, so by all means, give it a listen-to.

It’s good, not great, not Lovedrug’s best, and I don’t think it’s meant to be for anyone other than big fans who always want more out of them. There are a few noteworthy songs, which are worth being a part of any collection, but the album falls apart halfway through. Just in case it’s a matter of taste, though, I’m giving y’all a song that I liked, and one that I felt went a little overboard, too.

On a final note, I saw Lovedrug a few years back, when they were opening for the Plain White Tees, and I left after Lovedrug because they simply couldn’t be followed, they were so good. I highly recommend catching these guys if they come anywhere near you, and with any luck, they’ll cover Soundgarden for you too!

Have fun with these two songs off the album:

Let It All Out - Download - Stream
Your World - Download - Stream

Myspace: www.myspace.com/lovedrug
Website: www.lovedrugmusic.com

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