Everything Starts Where It Ends

Album Review

There aren't very many bands that can cross over into some form of mainstream success without being shunned by some members of the scene they originated in. It's hypocritical, but it's true. There are only a handful of bands that haven't experienced this after reaching a certain amount of fame. The one that I instantly thought of was Jimmy Eat World. "The Middle" annihilated the radio a couple of years ago, but Clarity is still practically an underground classic. I can see Lovedrug heading in the same direction now with Everything Starts Where It Ends. I can't stop playing this dang CD. I guess you could say I am addicted to it. I honestly feel this is one of 2007's best.

Throughout Everything Starts Where It Ends, Lovedrug bring incredibly calming, smooth vocals to the forefront, such as on "Happy Apple Poison." The song contains an infectious melody along with airy, effortless instruments and harmonies that immediately bring a darker feel to the song. Also vocally impressive is "Castling," a dreamy, jumpy, pop-ish track with upbeat vocals that is generally minimalist, with the exception of a downbeat-sounding guitar right after the third verse.

Lovedrug also bring some not-so-upbeat songs to the table on Everything Starts Where It Ends. A prime example of this is "Bleed Together," which is spacey, with hollow echoes and harmonies that leave behind an eerie feeling. This change of mood is also evident on "Ghost by Your Side," one of my personal favorites on this record, which is short, with grungy, twitching guitars and stealthy vocals.

Another noticeable element on Everything Starts Where It Ends is this: the album would have fit in perfectly with the lighter alternative rock of the '90s. To demonstrate, "Doomsday & the Echo" contains a slightly downtempo rhythm mixed in with a decently cheery vibe.

Everything Starts Where It Ends contains elements of music from our past, with light, airy vocals, strong melodies, and infectious songs to pull together a well-rounded, impressive album. If this CD makes Lovedrug famous, that's completely fine with me. I wouldn't mind hearing these songs annihilating the radio in the hopefully near future.

Review by Jesse — Skyline Press

A Second Look

There is something slightly unnerving about how easily Lovedrug can make a song sound beautiful. Michael Shepard's voice has a fragile, almost pleading quality, but the band rarely lets that fragility settle into comfort. On Everything Starts Where It Ends, bright melodies keep meeting darker impulses. The songs are inviting enough to catch on immediately, then strange enough to make you reconsider what you heard.

"Happy Apple Poison" sets that balance in motion. Its melody makes an appealing entrance, while Shepard's delivery gives the sweetness a suspicious edge. "Pushing the Shine" and "Castling" keep the early stretch moving, with the band sounding increasingly comfortable letting a clear hook carry the song. Compared with the tangled atmosphere of Pretend You're Alive, the arrangements feel more direct, though the personality remains unmistakable.

"Thieving" is one of the clearest examples of what Lovedrug do well. The piano gives the song a firm center, and the vocal has enough vulnerability to make its dramatic gestures feel personal. Shepard can push a phrase toward excess, but here the melody gives that tendency a useful shape. "Bleed Together" draws its strength from a more uneasy atmosphere, while "Ghost by Your Side" brings a welcome bite to the guitars.

The album's second half makes greater demands on the listener. "Casino Clouds" has the sweep of a centerpiece, and "Salt of the Earth" gives the music room to breathe. Those longer passages also expose the record's main weakness: Lovedrug sometimes keep pressing an emotional point after it has already landed. A few tighter endings would give the strongest moments more space of their own.

Still, the title track earns its place at the finish. Its extended shape suits a band drawn to large feelings and unresolved thoughts. By then, the album has shown how much can happen inside Lovedrug's particular combination of piano, restless guitars, and Shepard's unusual voice. Everything Starts Where It Ends is an assured follow-up that makes their music easier to enter while leaving plenty to discover once you're inside.