:: The Lost Thing

Lo-Tel

What do you do when you’ve had a hit single that overshadows your other work and will seemingly define you for all eternity? In Lo-Tel’s case they just release an excellent album of pop / rock tracks, that stands out to the critics like a big neon sign - a flashing, fluorescent green ‘Shut Up!’ The end product of three months locked away together in a rural farmhouse, ‘The Lost Thing’ shows a more mature and somewhat mellowed Lo-Tel. If ‘Teenager Of The Year’ was a reflection of them in their adolescence, then the tracks on ‘The Lost Thing’ are most definitely a reflection of the bands growth into adulthood. It is clear from the outset they have pushed themselves to reach a higher level in their music, and have resisted the temptation to do a clone follow up to ‘Planet Of The Stereos’. The first single release from the album, ‘Angel’, is an indication toward how far they have come. Powerful lyrics, backed by catchy hooks and a pop / rock melody; show that rural isolation in short doses can work wonders. Other standouts include the dreamy, orchestral arrangements of ‘2AM’, the brilliant rock ballad ‘Complacent Yet Anxious’, and ‘Good Advice’, a powerful affirmation of hope for the lonely. If the music is not enough for you, then you are sure to find something in the cover book, as it continues the experience for you with an adapted version of ‘The Lost Thing’, Shaun Tan’s award winning book. The book’s simple story and intricate illustrations are a compliment to the music, and vice versa. It may even be the first children’s book to have its own pop / rock soundtrack. The album as a whole has a magnificent way of seeping into your consciousness. You stop what you’re doing and relax, then realise your just listening to the music, going with the flow. ‘The Lost Thing’ does not command your attention, but slowly wins you over until you want nothing more than to give it your undivided interest.