Lovedrug Pretend You're Alive (The Militia Group, 2004)
The opportunity to take in these thirteen tracks reveals that the copper-colored spook etched into the cover is no coincidence, nor is it a piece of shiny, purportless artwork. True to its title, there are ghosts climbing up through the framework of Pretend You're Alive, breathing an eerie yet graceful quality into many of the album's songs. Exceptionally effective is Lovedrug's ability to present these rather downbeat, claustrophobic narratives in a way that uplifts rather than discourages. The lyrics may be cryptic at times, but they still harbor the powerful aptitude to resonate in unexpected and subtle ways. [read more]
