A throwback to the early glories of Slumberland Records, the lost Evolver album from Lunchbox is here today on a variety of formats. Donna McKean and Tim Brown, with help from members of Kids on a Crime Spree and Boyracer, among others, churned up an impressive racket on this set. And if I said, for those who are new to this band, that this album sounds like Swirlies and early Lilys, I'd say that is pretty high praise indeed!
The title cut kicks things off with a whole lot of twang, while "Particle/Wave" is dreamy and lost in a hazy swirl of instrumentation. This is great stuff, very much in line with Blonder Tongue Audio Baton in vibe and sound. The elegant "Sleeping is Not Dreaming" is a trip, signs of folks listening to Boo Radleys and Primal Scream remixes everywhere, while the epic closer, "Do You Have Love?" blends all the above into a stew of greatness.
Recorded more than 20 years ago, Evolver is less a product of its time, and more a timeless distillation of a lot of cool influences. Lunchbox are lost in their own world here on this record, and a play of any of the various formats reveals an entryway into Lunchbox-land. This is an album to dive into, like a cool pool of water on a summer's day. It's enveloping and as distinctive as Giant Steps from The Boo Radleys, or In the Presence of Nothing by Lilys. Highly recommended!
Evolver by Lunchbox is out as of today from Slumberland Records.
[Photo: Donna McKean / Lunchbox]