To be honest, we don't entirely know what Lovedrug is either. But it's indie
rock 'n' roll, so we like it. They talk of weird stuff like monsters and
animals, but their music does include some spiritual overtones. The music is
exhilarating, though, and lots of fun to listen to. If you are feeling
adventurous, check out Lovedrug... I think you will enjoy it. Make sure you
check out the latest from Derek Webb and Salvador this week too!

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PRETEND YOU'RE ALIVE - LOVEDRUG (2004)
by Hollie Stewart

Remember when you were a kid, and at night your closet would come alive with
hideous green monsters of various shapes? They would creep toward your feet
(you knew how they moved so you didn't need to open your eyes), anxiously
waiting to nibble your toes. Did any music coincide with their crawl across
the carpet? How about Lovedrug? Pretend You're Alive is the adult
monster-in-the-closet dream—a world of nasal yet stunning vocals, crisp yet
dirty guitars, and a hint of soft keys to tip the nursery.

The world of "Blackout" only exemplifies my attempt at analogy. Lyrics
bordering the hideous ring out against an addictive melody line of guitar
and drum patterns: "And when he's punching her skull on the bathroom floor /
Does it get him off, oh yeah / Does it get him off to know / That sometimes
we all blackout?" After studying the stick-person in the CD jacket, holding
what looks to be like a head of black hair, I can understand the image
present in the phrase, "It's 4 a.m. and I am is coming after you tonight."
And yet, like the 4 a.m. nightmare, understanding isn't completely
achievable. Misinterpretation of lyrics might occur on the part of
listeners, but lead singer Michael Shepard's writing ability displays depth
in poetic maturity. "Radiology" says, "I believe in my garden home / And the
chemicals I need to make it grow / Later on, the glowing teeth / Lessons
learned in radiology." "Paper Scars" reads, "Fall into pairs like two ugly
fish / Too rare for extinction I know / The veins in your hands felt soft
like summer / Calm to the touch."

"Down Toward the Healing" is the song that escapes the bedroom closet world.
Soft piano and floaty vocals begin this track with "I want to make you happy
/ But I've fallen, I'm sorry." Apologies and regrets combine with
thanksgiving right before the rest of the band kicks in: "You don't know how
cool you are / To find the ways to love me without shame." With the onset of
drums and jazz-influenced bass and guitars, Shepard dreams, "I want my life
to be red / With trees and like autumn." Considering the idyllic, easy life,
a life away from the vermin-crowded streets of "Blackout," Shepard says how
he would "give my soul to the one who has the courage / To find me and free
me now." After considering the options, and after the music crescendos to
rock supremacy, the moment of surrender arrives: "So let the thunders take
me under and break my legs tonight / Hallelujah, I'm breathing."

Biblical images invade this nighttime recording. Angels, demons, heaven and
hell appear throughout the lyrics. "Spiders" indirectly refers to the sermon
by Puritan leader Jonathan Edwards ("Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God").
The reference "I hear Egypt is nice this time of year" in "The Monster" is
reminiscent of the children of Israel wanting to return to their former
slavery. There's even a reflection of Elijah being caught up to heaven when
Shepard sings, "I closed my eyes as the chariot came" ("It Won't Last").

I still don't completely grasp Pretend You're Alive. The music reaches into
the unexpected and remains melodic enough to serve any setting. Yet a deeper
study of the lyrical content opens the mind to an Alice in Wonderland world.
The piano in "Paper Scars" brings the listener back home, back into the
morning sunlight, but there's still that haunted hole to dissect. The angels
and demons still require study. The potency of Lovedrug still takes time to
ware away.

Find out more about Lovedrug at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/lovedrug


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Review: Potter's Field
http://cMusicWeb.com/hardrock/12stones/pottersfield.shtml


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I SEE THINGS UPSIDE DOWN - DEREK WEBB
After the highly-focused debut effort She Must and Shall Go Free, Derek is
back with his latest collection of songs. We're told it is not as focused of
a topic as last time, but we have no doubt that it will be some amazing work
from Derek. While we work on getting a review, check out this PICK OF THE
WEEK.

SO NATURAL - SALVADOR
Besides their last live project, it has been a while since Salvador gave us
an album. Fans will enjoy brand new music from these Latin music band. From
the upbeat Spanish-flavored numbers to Nic Gonzales' soaring ballads and
even a couple worship standards, this disc brings Salvador's craft to a new
level. Plus, don't miss their spot-on cover of Los Lonely Boys' "Heaven".


Thanks for reading this week's cMusicMail, and we'll be back next week with
even more great content. If you have any comments or questions, please reply
to this e-mail or send them to webmaster@.... We'd love to hear
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Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
AOL IM - dMusicWeb