Some Border's and Specialty Shops OR 1-800-CD-LASER
Reviewed By:
Robert Lewis
Rating:
3
Seldom does a duo come off sounding like a full-fledged band, but in the case of "Love
Spirals Downwards," it's hard to believe only two people are responsible for the music
within. The relaxing, etherial sound of "Ever," the duo's third release, is enough to bring
the listener back for a second sampling, but there is more than just a New Age groove
working beneath the surface. On several of the tracks, namely "Cay at Dawn" and
"Madras," I was reminded of the stylings of "4AD's" "This Mortal Coil" and "Cocteau
Twins." Other tracks, while retaining fleeting similarities to the aforementioned new-wave
staples, take on an original and compelling sound of their own. Suzanne Perry uses her
voice as a finely tuned instrument which weaves effortlessly through the complex
compositions of her partner, Ryan Lum.
While I really enjoyed the nearly hypnotic groove of the first track, "El Pedregal", a few of
the tracks on "Ever" left me disappointed. Perry and Lum are without a doubt, highly
talented individuals, yet many of the songs - at least on the surface - struck me as being
surprisingly similar. The sameness of these tracks gave the whole disc a somewhat lop-
sided, almost monotonous quality which left me somewhat ambivalent about listening
through the whole set a second time. Subsequent listenings uncovered the greater depth
and originality of the music, but when I think of "Ever" as a whole, I am still left with the
notion that the disc is just a bit too predictable.
Both college graduates, Lum and Perry live the lives of average folks. They look at their
music with a modesty which is unusual in an industry driven by narcisistic rock stars and
their jaded handlers. All eleven tracks on "Ever" are the sole creation of the two who do
it all - from composition to production. The result is a disc which, while a bit too
predictable at times for my taste, is still good. If you enjoy ambient, thought provoking
grooves and a pleasant melodic voice, check out "Ever," by "Love Spirals Downwards."
