Now this is an interesting CD to review. Here at Punktastic towers we are used to Emo Band 1.0, ‘Screamo’ band 53 or the pop-punk heretics, but we don’t often get to listen to something as relaxingly simple as Dennis Lyxzén’s solo project ‘The Lost Patrol‘. You may recognize the name from his Refused and (International) Noise Conspiracy days, but this twelve song effort couldn’t be possibly further from either of those bands output. Helped out by a few friends from other bands such as Randy and The Facer, he has put together an eclectic mix of songs which both make you feel relaxed and somewhat disgruntled at the same time.
The songs are beautifully constructed and played out, yet at the same time you just don’t feel captivated enough for repeat listens. With all the songs aimed at the same girl, and all featuring the same mellow acoustic guitar and soothing drum patterns, it is something to relax to the night after a bout of drinking certainly, but for your average reader of our fair site? Read on…
It begins with ‘No New Manifesto’ which sets the tone for the album. In Lyxzém’s defence he does have a rather beautiful voice without wanting to sound to homo-erotic. He complements his songs well, and unlike other ’emo’ tinged bands, there is an obvious amount of emotion behind them. ‘Out of Date’ and ‘The Way Things Are’ both take on a similar melancholy tone with the former featuring beautiful cohesion between flute, acoustic guitar and piano. ‘Alright’ is undoubtedly THE song of the album, featuring a stomping drum beat combined with sublime vocals from Lisa Miskovsky in a track which feels as if it has been lifted from the feel good fifties. ‘Restating the Obvious’ is another decidedly meek concoction, but as one of the slowest songs on the album it holds together surprisingly well.
‘Going Going Gone’ is another pick me up after the somberness of tracks gone by, ‘The Last Goodbye‘ feels almost Dashboard Confessional in form, and if there were less musical goings on in the background, you could almost pass it off as an effort from the MTV star. ‘200 Reasons Why’ features a lovely electric guitar intro as the song opens up and grows as the pace quickens into another highlight. Unfortunately the final tracks ‘Same Heart that Will Tear Me Apart’ and ‘Desperate Attempts’ bring the pace down to a minimum again, but the final track is a saving grace.
It is hard to find anything particularly wrong with the album, it is both relaxing and exciting at the same time, but it is aimed very specifically at a audience which maybe lacking in the world of punk. Tracks such as ‘200 Reasons Why’ and ‘Desperate Attempts’ standout but the amazing ‘Alright’ is reason enough to buy the album alone. A real pick me up in every sense of the word and it should be able to grace ANY music fans collection.
Ultimately this album will appeal to those looking for something to chill out to or relax with while studying for exams when you don’t want to be bopping along to the latest big punk releases. It is an acquired taste, but until you try, you just don’t know.
Jay