Scottish band Life Model are expanding their musical palette and this LP, half full band and half acoustic, sounds better than ever. Lead single ‘Sit Still’ and further tracks like the mid-paced ‘Edith’ display a sophisticated and mature sound, with possible comparisons with Sleeper and The Sundays, a slow-burn but classic songwriting approach.
Previously-reviewed single ‘Saskia‘ is another minor-chord belter, which recalls both C86 and REM, neither a bad thing! ‘Walking Backwards’ continues the guitar atmospherics with a pretty hard-rocking outro, over which Sophie’s vocals soar and surge.
‘Blue’ starts with acoustic guitar but soon drifts into arpeggios that Roddy Frame might be quite proud of – very evocative lyrics, and great vocals again, with high production values, getting that mix of acoustic and treated instrumentation just right – lovely!
The five other tracks on the LP are the first five but with a wholly acoustic treatment, just Sophie and guitarist Chris for the most part – it is a testimony to the quality of the songs that they all stand up to this treatment, although to be honest BM prefers the full band versions.
A great album, and hopefully they will be playing live very soon (September date at the Glad Cafe, Glasgow, for one).