Masterminded by Popical Island men Mike and Ruan, Death To Lie Ins is the debut album from the duo who trade under the Lie Ins moniker. For the most part, it’s a bright, breezy and much-needed injection of sonic sunshine – a perfect antidote for those of you suffering from a dose of the winter grumps. Featuring 11 songs with a lo-fi, live feel, the release adopts a “don’t bore us, get to the chorus” approach and it’ll have you singing along after your first spin.
Indebted to the likes of Violent Femmes, Elvis Costello and Tyrannosaurus Rex-era Marc Bolan (the break-neck, boogie-tinged tour de force that is ‘Universal Truth’ in particular has a high-pitched whooping chorus which sounds just like the dearly departed musician’s early work), Lie Ins’ album is all about the good times and great melodies. However, as much fun as the shuffling ‘Vegetarian Girls’, and space-y, stomping ‘The Low Men’ are, the more measured, almost maudlin ‘I Hide My Love In Evening Time’ is the undeniable stand-out.
Featuring a beautiful flute arrangement and a vocal performance that is endearingly awkward, what we’ve got here is an understated classic.