Lost Sounds--Demos Vol.2
On/On Switch 2003
With last year's Demos & Outtakes LP, it became very obvious that Lost Sounds rough drafts ain't exactly so rough. For any other band, takes of this quality would constitute "official" release. If that first volume was an epiphany, this Demos Vol.2 CD is even more so. It's just as essential a release for Lost Sounds fans as their regular albums.
The main difference between most of this stuff and fully realized Lost Sounds material is that these demo versions are a bit more stripped down. Because of this, the energy comes off somewhat laid-back. You really feel that effect on the test flights of songs which appreared on the Rat's Brains & Microchips album, such as "Energy Drink & The Long Walk Home." If the abrasiveness found on that album overwhelmed you a bit, these renditions will ease you into things a little more gently.
All that said, as with last time, the real treat of this collection is the previously unreleased material, the absolute highlight of it all being "I've Seen U Before." This particular song benefits from the extremely tasteful bassline which drives it. "Clones Don't Love" would be near the top of that list, as well, thanks to its similarly dreamy vibe. On "Wind Blows Cold," a really nice Gary Numan influence shines through--Jay's tubey lead vocal enhanced by some ethereal falsetto vox by Alicja on the choruses.
Really, you could go on and on about great moments for this disc. That's what makes Demos Vol.2 so incredible--some of this stuff was probably considered throwaway material by the band, at a point. If so, were they ever wrong and thank God fate dealt the hand for this stuff to see the light of day. For Lost Sounds diehards and newcomers, alike, this one's a keeper.
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