Shady Lane - Here We Go, Down The Black Hole
By Joanna Lowry
Jordy
Lane's music, much like the Pavement song from which he derived his moniker
Shady Lane, is best absorbed through headphones whilst meandering through the 'burbs on a sunny afternoon on the precipice of Spring.
If you
enjoyed Bibio's recent release Ambivalence Avenue (again with the street references!), chances are you will love this. It too is
a sweet mix of folk and beats, with sampled sounds of chattering children
thrown in for good measure. Channeling both Lou Barlow and Thom Yorke, 'Who is
the Host?' is a clinky, lo-fi number ala Bubble and Scrape-era Sebadoh, while 'Oh, Reality' could be mistaken for Radiohead's 'Idioteque'.
Instrumental track 'Here We Go, Down The Black Hole' is full of the looped
electronica goodness that Rice Is Nice label mates Seekae have been steadily
gaining a name for.
Fans of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service are
also accounted for. They will appreciate the upbeat synth pop tempo of the
album and Jordy's wistful, boyish vocals. But while lyrically Ben Gibbard has a
tendency to slap on the saccharine, when Jordy strolls through shady lanes he
isn't lamenting relationships gone wrong and loves lost. It's not a broken
heart that he is suffering from, but existential angst. Scientific innovation,
the existence of God and the meaning of life? All up Shady Lane's alley.
You've read what we think. Now tell us what you think.