Review

The Black Lillies: Black Lillies (Freestyle Records Ltd)

Copenhagen collective The Black Lillies start promisingly on this self titled effort and the open track is a right moody barnstormer that promises much but just as it gets going it fades out! Shame! As the next track 'Cargo' changes the mood completely and i'm not sure I want disjointed house just yet. The Jury's out on this one boys!

My interest does pick up again thankfully with the next one 'Rock In The Rain' showcasing the kooky vocals of Thulla Wamberg whose endearing warbling adorns this slice of nordic jazz electronica, fresh quirky and innovative a peach of a tune!

'Between The Lines' an electro bossa is the band's stab at being poppy and highly accessible and by enlarge it works, fancy horn arrangements add that extra class but it does border on cheesy and formulaic, however Jo Harrop rescues the tune with her sultry singing and general sexiness!

'I Need A Little Time' a simple yet stunning piece of work that shows how great the Black Lillies are when they bypass the less generic stuff. Funky licks adorn this and some super hot guitar really adds to this vocoder led blessedness.

'In A Sweet Way' sees the return of Thulla on this evocative creeper. The material just seems to work when this gal is on it! Lolloping beats lush, strings and Wamberg's wailing hits the mark.

The Black Lillies frustrate a little because there's so much freshness and invention going on but the guys sit on the fence with the more contrived material on offer. It's a pity because when they leave their pop sensibilities behind them and stick to their guns, they are world leaders! Two styles clashing here on one album but I know which I prefer..
Words Emrys Baird