aaamusic | On 18, Sep 2011

Mind-blowing debut from sextet Lanterns On The Lake, Gracious Tide, Take Me Home, is a collection of eleven gems of tender and passionate folk-pop.

 

Slowcore at its best, Lungs Quicken is a reassuring litany reminiscent of Lorna and The Devics, bands that never gained the attention they well deserved. This is a destiny that Lanterns On The Lake may well escape, thanks to the miraculous voice of Hazel Wilde. Warm, voluptuous and ethereal at the same time, Hazel’s voice accompanies the listeners all the way through Gracious Tide, Take Me Home, taking him by the hand and comforting him.

 

Even when it is Adam’s turn, like in If I’ve been unkind, the atmosphere doesn’t change and we’re still lying on shores kissed by gentle waves, like a mellow version of Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs.

 

A soft glockenspiel makes Tricks like a dream where Hope Sandoval meets Sigur Ros, while shadows of Sol Seppy, voice of Sparklehorse, drift through the notes of You’re Almost There.

 

Gracious Tide, Take Me Home is without any doubt a jewel of tenderness, maybe too soft if you’re not into this kind of music, but for sure a source of  warmth and consolation for this next winter.

 

Author: Lorenzo Coretti