By admin
Lower Than Atlantis are well and truly back with their 5th album Safe In Sound, and whilst being brushed with the occasional tormented lyric or furious riff the album almost completes the change from the original angst fuelled grunge-rock to a fresher, glossy indie rock. However, Lower Than Atlantis retain much of the charm and finesse of earlier records and the band emulate this flawlessly on the majority of Safe In Sound resulting in a polished album filled with some of the bands best work.
Opener Had Enough kicks off the party, Mike Duce signature vexed lyrics are at the forefront accompanied by some heavy guitar licks. It’s a very solid opener, combining everything that makes Lower Than Atlantis popular (including a highly infectious chorus) and is definitely a highlight from Safe In Sound. Dumb follows Had Enough, and mixes things up with a bouncy pop-inspired instrumental and softer vocals. Whilst Dumb is undoubtedly a lot calmer, it still encapsulates what many love about Lower Than Atlantis. It’s hard to escape how polished Dumb sounds, and it’d be interesting to hear the song live to see the contrast.
Long Time Coming reinvents the bands previous sounds into a modern interpretation, with a perfectly crafted stadium-ready chorus. Whilst Lower Than Atlantis have constantly tinkered with the sound they produce Long Time Coming acts as a homage to the early days of the band, unapologetic fierce and angry and will definitely please long-time fans of LTA.
Boomerang is a more experimental approach with heavily synthesised vocals and the occasional unnatural sounding instrumentals. However, Mike Duce and his powerful range and aggressive undertones helps it maintain the Lower Than Atlantis charm. Work For It follows Boomerang and strips it back to simple rock music. Easily one of the heaviest tracks on the album, and whilst all the songs have a radio ready quality, its less apparent on Work For It as its definitely one of the grittier and more forceful offerings from the band.
Could Be Worse is possibly the most authentic Lower Than Atlantis tracks, detailing the less significant problems in a way only they can. Their focus on the smaller things in life helped to catapult them into the limelight in the early days, and with lyrics commenting on tea stains and traffic jams, and this charming take on life definitely pays off again.
I Would is a beautifully written track, shrouded in a pop-rock mist its undoubtedly one of the more radio-friendly songs on the album. Mike Duce employs his most vulnerable vocal tones but is juxtaposed by the heavy guitar solos and thundering drum beats creating a fantastically energetic classic that begs to be sung along to. Money leans heavily on the pop side, whilst providing a rest from some of the heavier tracks it’s still a well written and well performed pop song despite sounding different from the majority of other tracks on the album.
Lower Than Atlantis consistently perform very powerful slower, softer tracks (take Another Sad Song) and a lot of that is replicated on I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore. Duce again favours the exposed and open vocals with a very honest and intimate take. I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore definitely delivers and is up there with some of the greatest Lower Than Atlantis ballad style songs.
Closing Safe In Sound is A Night To Forget, another insanely catchy track and a balanced finisher to end the album on. All of Safe In Sound is Loud, unapologetic shimmering with riffs and moments that basically require to be sung openly it brings the essence of Lower Than Atlantis, and despite their journey into different sounds and styles they’ve managed to maintain that throughout their career.
Safe In Sound is one of the most complete and polished albums Lower than Atlantis have created and whilst they continue to adapt and change their dedicated fans and new fans alike always seem to enjoy listening to whatever the band come up with.
