Darker My Love

Alive as You Are

(Dangerbird)

Record Review by Amber Henson

It’s always such an ego trip when I write an album review wherein I say something like, "I really enjoy this band, but, boy, do I wish they would something-something-something" and then a year passes, and on the next album, they something-something-something!  It’s only happened twice that I can remember: once where I was like “Oh, LoveLikeFire sounds best when they’re really rockin’ it,” and then they did on their next EP, and, now, where I was like “I wish these Darker My Love songs were shorter,” and here we are and indeed they are!

Of course, I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.  I’m not writing world-changing reviews (yet).  Still, it makes me feel special.  And it means I enjoy the album more, although Alive as You Are is pretty enjoyable on its own.  There’s a nice country vibe to this psychedelic rock, with beautifully blended harmonies.  Above all, though, I really want to go get an old Super 8 cam and make a seventeen long minute black-and-white film that doesn’t make any sense to accompany a medley of these tracks.

I decided to do a little more research on this psychedelic rock, and it turns out that this type of music is not only supposed to enhance ones experience of drugs, but replicate it.  Huh.  I guess?  I’m probably not the best one to judge the album on this merit, but, just like the last album, I’m strongly reminded of The Beatles, and one can’t separate that band from their drug use.  This album also reminded me of a quote I once heard about how Radiohead keeps inventing a new sound with each album release, and that there are a string of bands out there that pick up their last sound and explore it more.  That is kind of like what Darker My Love is doing, but with The Beatles, and all of that late '60s sound: more exploratory and more contemporary.

I think my favorite part of this album is the ever-present bass, which seems lately to be vying for my attention with a strong drum beat.  Overall, Alive as You Are is a great third album, and deserves more exploration (if you know what I mean).