I guess it would be very easy to dismiss Lorene Drive as a The Used/Underoath clone, especially as post-hardcore uber-producer James Paul Wisner is the major knob-twiddler on this record. In terms of releases, it’s a bit of a departure for Lobster Records, normally known for the likes of Park, Over It and Yellowcard. But, like many of their previous releases, those crazy cats at LR seem to have picked up another gem in Lorene Drive. It’s by no means original, it’s by no means refreshing, but it is ballsy, rocking and delivers a swift kick in the balls when needed.
‘Romantic Wealth’ has huge choruses coming from all sides. Among the sleazy guitars and all-out screaming of opener ‘God Knows I Love You Kid’ is a huge melody that will have dancefloors heaving at your local emo club. ‘A Kiss Won’t Make This Better’ stomps through, while ‘A Song In the Key of Sex’ is just plain dirty. I’ve had this song going over and over and over. I can’t shift the chorus from my head. Lorene Drive take a tried and tested formula and balls it up, throwing in dirty pop songs for good measure. As Daniel Murillo sings “I feel the rythmn in your body and I know you felt it too,” he’ singing a line that Justin Timberlake could easily be waving his booty too in a different guise.
Of course Lorene Drive lose a half-star for not doing anything new per se, they just do an old thing very well indeed. I prattle on about getting tired of this kind of music all the time, but this lot do it well and hopefully will be rewarded for their efforts. ‘Romantic Wealth’ adds to a quality back catalogue and is well worth checking out.
www.lorenedrive.com
Lobster Records
Paul