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Artist: Lovemongers Title: "Whirligig" Label: Will Records Reviewed By: Dave Merrill Rating:

Ann and Nancy Wilson of "Heart" formed "Lovemongers" with Sue Ennis (keyboards), Frank Cox (vocals, guitars and various other instruments) and Ben Smith (drums) for an impromptu live performance at the "Red Cross Concert for Peace" in 1991. Their cover of Led Zeppelin's "Battle of Evermore" appeared in the movie "Singles" and on the triple platinum soundtrack for the movie. A live cut of the song is included on Neil Young's benefit compilation, "The Bridge School Concerts, Vol. 1." They used the "Zeppelin" song as the title for their first studio produced effort, a four song CD. Today, "Lovemongers" brings us their first full-length album, Whirligig." The album is mostly acoustic, and brings to bear a variety of instruments never seen on "Heart" albums, but, truth be told, with the Wilson's distinctive vocals, it's tough for them to sound like anything but "Heart." The album sounds most like an unplugged "Heart," though it is more adventurous, touching on a greater variety of music styles and instruments. The album was recorded without a record label in a converted practice space and produced by the band. "Sand" is listed as the final track in the liner notes and in the press release I received, yet it appears second on my CD. It's obvious there will be changes in the album from the one that I have. I reviewed the songs in the order presented on my CD, which may give readers a sense of the changes made in production. The first track, "Runaway," opens with an appropriately playful, yet melancholy toy piano. Ann's voice, a flute and acoustic guitar overlay it with strings. It's a dramatic song about an unwanted child who chooses to leave home. "Sand" is about a caretaker of Ann's who became a close friend and later died of AIDS. The Wilson's harmonize over an acoustic guitar, but the song gets heavier toward the end with added electric guitar, drums and synthesizer, finally melting back for a fade out of acoustic guitar. A jazz/blues number, the single, "Kiss," begins with heavy bass and drum. Electric guitar weaves in and out with Ann's voice. The Filmmakers intended using "Kiss" for the movie "French Kiss," but ultimately decided to use a standard jazz soundtrack. Opening with drum only, the beginning guitar work for "Elysian" sounds a lot like the "Porno for Pyros" song "Pets." It's a strange mixture of nineties and seventies rock stylings. Nancy takes the front and center position, singing lead vocals on the song. The song is about not missing out on what life has to offer. "Hold on to the hours, they're flowers that don't bloom again/ Breathe in you are living- you are given one chance my friend. . ." Nancy sings again on "Miracle Girl," a song about the superficiality of the fashion world that swallows women's lives. It's a moody song, showing the initial attraction and sparkle of that world, but also the feelings it brings on, "Walking out that door you've got to feel just right/ Oh, I woke up crying/ Oh, I dreamed I was flying." Ann takes over again on "City on the Hill," a song that has some "Fleetwood Mac" influence on the harmonies. The song opens with synthesizer, acoustic guitar and Ann's voice with distortion. It has a folky sort of feel to it in places, but goes through a lot of changes. It's a pretty good song, reminding me at times of old "Steely Dan." Eerie synthesizer dominates the intro for "No School Today," a song about the Wilson's first acid trip experience. Nancy sings the lead vocal. "A telephone is shooting off its mouth somewhere/ I'm pretty sure they're calling for you/But now you're sunk down in a great big easy chair/ Hearing your guitar sing to you. . ." Given the subject matter, the most striking thing about the song is its modern rock influence. I'd feel comfortable hearing it on alternative rock stations. "Two Black Lambs" is about Ann's adopted daughter. "Now I love you, you're deep inside/ You're so deep inside me/ No more the shadow I used to be/ Look how love has changed me." It's a heartfelt slow song. "Heavy Sedation" features vocals by Frank Cox, the song's writer. Distortion makes him sound like John Lennon at times. The song is heavy psychedelia, dreamlike in its execution. "Elvis was a Capricorn, crucifix in hand/ Took him long to realize he was just a man/ Heavy sedation was his salvation." It's an awesome song. The final track, "The Vegas Gene," has a lounge singer feel to it, with Cox on lead vocal again. It will definitely be an interesting departure for "Heart" fans. "Take a shot of DNA. Mix it with some Tanqueray/Add some glitter and some sin and the fun will soon begin. . ." While some of "Lovemongers" album "Whirligig" feels like retread "Heart," the band covers much different ground than the Wilson's other band. "Whirligig" is an interesting outing, well worth the attention of their long time fans and may just win them some new ones.

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