By Stan Cierlitsky
Well, that didn't take long. After making us wait 40 years for their debut album, The Loft return just a short year later with their sophomore effort, Badges. And, like their last album, this one is also being released on Tapete Records. I guess Pete Astor and the boys are trying to make up for lost time. At this rate, I'm expecting 25 more albums in the next few years.
All kidding aside, Badges is a really solid album. No sophomore slump with this one. "Happenstance" kicks off the album, and it's just a perfect mid-tempo Brit rocker. To me, that seems to feel like the sweet spot for The Loft. Yeah, they can still write a decent slower song too. On this album I think closer "Rob Rides the Sunset" encapsulates that idea the best. Andy Strickland's guitar work on that one is beautiful.
Pete Astor mentioned that "it feels good being in a real band again, and for the first time I'm co-writing songs with Andy..." I really think I can hear that difference on this album. There are little guitar flourishes throughout the album that remind me of that magic that I first heard on "Up the Hill and Down the Slope" 40 years ago. You can definitely hear it on "Happenstance", and you can also hear it on "Goodbye Saturday Night" which is another of my favorites off the album.
The Loft have spent the last few years touring, and I get the feeling that a lot of these songs were written with playing them live in mind. "C'mon Let's Hear it for the Now" feels like it could be a live crowd favorite and a sing-a-long song. I should also mention that lead single "Campervan" is another favorite. Is it me or is that guitar into reminiscent of The Replacements?
Just like I said in last year's review, I think there is something here for everyone; there are rockers, sing-a-long songs, slow songs, story songs (like on "1955"), and some more reflective songs (like "Ex-Lovers and Lost Brothers"). Hopefully The Loft continue to make up for lost time, and maybe even tour over here in The States.
Badges by The Loft is out now via Tapete Records.
[Photo: Joe Shutter]