The Duke Spirit Neptune 2008, You Are Here Records indie rock/garage rock
In the spirit of My Bloody Valentine (not dukes), The Duke Spirit have that cool, retro sound that’s becoming more popular in the indie scene these days. Unfortunately for them, that sound isn’t distinctive enough to separate them from the rest of the indie pack; I fear they might wither away into nothingness, even with their great DIY ethic. That said, there are some unique points about this band and this album that make them a great listen. Their idealistic lyrics and complex, pop-inspired arrangements can be a bit boring at times, but there are distinct soul influences and a great sense of rhythm. The lush-yet-gravelly texture of lead singer Liela Moss’s voice is a major plus, not to mention that the album as a whole is cohesive, if not concise. As you can probably tell, I’m having issues adequately describing this album, but it’s well worth the buy and the listen.
“The Step And The Walk,” “Neptune’s Call,” “Lassoo,” and “Into The Fold.”
myspace, last.fm
The Cinematics’s A Strange Education, Copeland’s In Motion
