The Love Language = my new favorite band. It’s been on my mind since I saw them play at SXSW, but after hearing these tracks from our recent live session, it’s now confirmed.
Stuart McLamb played every instrument and recorded the self-titled debut album between his parents’ house and a rented storage unit – all on a $300 recording device. The result was a brilliant body of work with a gritty, lo-fi sound. After hearing his voice on this session backed by a seven-piece band, I’m beginning to think that the lo-fi recording is doing him a huge disservice. In fact, I’d like to request that The Love Language record an alternate version of the album, recorded as a band in a proper recording studio.
The bottom line is that McLamb’s voice is silly good and his raw emotion and lyrical prowess take The Love Language’s music to another level. At SXSW, their manager told us that he wrote and recorded their debut album after a bad break-up and some time in jail. That might inject some emotion into the songwriting.
The tracks from the session are a great accompaniment to the album; each a different flavor of the original. The band struggled on their first two takes of the unreleased song, “Blue Angel,” but after a couple rounds of Maker’s Mark shots, they were properly lubed up to kill the third take. It’s great to see the passion, smiles and fist pumps in the video. In fact, I challenge you to not smile while you watch it. My other favorites from the session are “Providence” and “Manteo.”
Exclusive: Love Language – Nocturne
Exclusive: Love Language – Providence
Exclusive: Love Language – Manteo
Exclusive: Love Language – Blue Angel (Unreleased)
Exclusive: Love Language – Graycourt
Download all the tracks as a zip file.
Video: The Love Language – Blue Angel
The Love Language – “Blue Angel” – HearYa Live Session 4/2/09 from HearYa.com on Vimeo.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Hands down my favorite new band too – saw them last week opening for Headlights and they put on a great show too.
Iloved the “lo-fi wall of sound” on the album, but after hearing them live and now these sessions I’m thinking you’re right about the production on the album doing them a disservice – it’s worth hearing the details behind the crackles and fuzz.
Thanks for this!!
This session is spectacular. And while I wouldn’t trade anything for the album, the sound they produce as a full band is unreal.
This band totally rocks! Everywhere I have seen them, they have been sold out- get the tickets online before the show. They are playing in Chapel Hill, NC this weekend- I will be there, tix in hand.
I have to say, this may be the best session yet. And I agree with you Oz, would love to see this album re-engineered and re-released with the full band. Yet, I still love the no-fi edition as well given the intimacy of the recording.
I love this band…. Had their HearYa session playing in the car today. Pure smiles!
Does anyone know the song that they play during the last 20 seconds of Graycourt? I’ve heard them play that song live as well, but they’ve never given it a name (at least to my knowledge). Anyone have a clue what it’s called? I’m dying to know.
Love this local band. I’ve seen them with a Max Indian and the Old Ceremony. The three of them make a big chuck of my personal favorites. Steve, I love the way you captured their performance. Any chance you’ll see them back in your studio?
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