Favorite Songs: I’m Not Your Victim
FCC Violations: It Was To Be You, I Am Goddess
UGHHHH! I’m sorry I just can’t…but I guess I have to. Disclaimer: I know not much of electronic and I feel that my position would not give you a fair and balanced review of this album. With that being said, I’m going to give you one anyway.
LAL is a Toronto based electronic duo that has been said by cultural intermediaries to be artists that have been movers of the underground Toronto scene. The tandem has numerous releases under their belt with Dark Beings being their sixth full-length album. From what I gather, this album is one that features numerous other musicians within their community including musicians, producers, and even a design team. Pretty cool in its own right, it still isn’t enough for me to like it but I will always give credit to where credit is due. They’ve managed to stay relevant for almost two decades and that deserves praise no matter my opinion of the art itself.
Getting back to the album, I can dig the harmonizing vocals with Rosina Kazi taking the highs and Nicholas “Murr” Murray taking the lows. Other than that, I’m grasping at straws here. Have you ever seen that ‘99 teen movie She’s All That? There’s a part where Freddie Prinze Jr tries to get to know Rachel Leigh Cook’s character, aka the nerd and watches her partake in some kind of performance theater where there is a social lesson to be learned, no matter how obscure. Obviously, Prinze Jr. is cringing in his seat but gives it the benefit of the doubt. That’s kind of what this reminds me of. I get that there is a deeper meaning to the music but I can’t get on board.
I Am Not Your Victim did strike my fancy somewhat. I dug the way the lyrics were put over the music. It has a cool bass line but it’s probably coming from some kind of electronic device that’s not an electric bass.
I’m having conflicting ideas. LAL has managed to retain a following but I’d also label this music to be within a utilitarian market, meaning it’s in the background to the forefront of something else during a listener’s experience. You know, like if you go to a coffee shop for the purpose of gettin’ that caffeine fix but there’s also a band or solo artist playing that you had no idea would be there but you take it in nonetheless though it is not your focal point.
So here I am with my scattered but shameless take. Don’t take my word for it though. Check it out if you’re into this type of music. LAL is doing something right.
– Justin Capoccia