So retro it's like returning to the womb.
In his book Retromania, Simon Reynolds took pop culture to task for having an unhealthy obsession with its own past. Here in the third millennium we’re still recycling melodies, lyrics and recording techniques from a sweet spot in the mid twentieth century. Some (me in the pub) have argued that cultural conservatism leads to post-capitalist stasis – that if we had a few more musical futurists western society mightn’t be so thoroughly plucked.
But that’s a tipsily complicated argument (me in the pub) and you could alternatively hold that there’s nothing wrong with taking comfort in retrospective loveliness. What The Lost Brothers produce is unrepentantly and unrelentingly retro and unrepentantly and unrelentingly wonderfully lovely. Like fellow crooners Richard Hawley and the Leisure Society, The Lost Brothers have their sights set on an idyllic and idealised past (specifically: an Everly Brothers recording session in the early sixties), and listening to them successfully obliterates the hard, cold present. They gently sing romantic lullaby-like melodies in close-harmony, accompanied by suitably folky acoustic guitar-picking and harmonically rich string melodies, all wrapped in vintage-sounding reverb.
The best songs include (aptly titled) opening track ‘Golden Dawn’, with it’s circular guitars and medieval melody, ‘Oh Brother’ which tilts amiably towards Hank Williams territory, and the jauntily sad/melancholically optimist ‘Bells They Won’t Ring’.
It all coalesces into such a heart-warming whole that carping about its retro leanings seems churlish and ungrateful. In fact, I’m going to bed to listen to the Lost Brothers for a decade or so. Call me when the economy improves.
How a mini Coral reunion and coming “full circle” in Liverpool brought about The Lost Brothers’ most forward-thinking album to date.
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Fourth album from acclaimed Irish harmony duo.
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The likes of The Lost Brothers and Julie Feeney will pay musical tribute to late journalist Eugene Moloney.
Read More The Lost Brothers have unveiled an excellent new video for the Brendan Benson-produced track 'Far Side'.
Read More The 17th Annual Ards International Guitar Festival takes place over 5 days from 25th – 29th September 2013.
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The Brothers Leech and McCausland play this Saturday.
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The former Coral man features on their Christmas charity track.
Read More Irish duo The Lost Brothers have found the time to make their darkest record yet, in between paying homage to Roy Orbison and getting on brilliantly with one another.
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The duo will also be joining Glen Hansard on his upcoming tour of the US
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The duo play an exclusive session in memory of the The Band's departed drummer...
Read More The Lost Brothers popped into HP towers this afternoon and did an acoustic session for us
Read More With Craig Finn also on the bill, it's a March line-up you won't want to miss.
Read More The duo's sophomore album So Long John Fante is out now.
Read More Oisin Leech and Mark McCausland will be on TV screens nationwide Friday night.
Read More Hmmm... 2011, the year of global economic crisis and a punishing domestic budget. But it seems the old adage of creativity flourishing in times of recession is true, as we added a plethora of top long-players to our iPods, and basked in the glow of a dizzying array of exquisite live performances. Long live the downturn!
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Wistful country rockers to their boots, Ireland’s The Lost Brothers are creating waves internationally. They discuss their unique heritage, attempts to navigate the treacherous waters of the music industry and hanging with some famous chums
Read More Katie Kim, The Lost Brothers and Puzzle Muteson will join forces in 2012.
Read More A midweek album launch from the hotly-tipped duo...
Read More The band features former members of The Basement and 747's.
Read More Irish duo's debut album has a sound that puts them right in the room, with warm harmonies and soothing lyrics.
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