It is slightly disconcerting when an album comes complete with a press release that looks like it has been crayoned by a six year old, a strip of tear off roaches and a bookmark that exclaims “read thicko”. Not only an interesting juxtaposition of freebies, but perhaps required to enjoy the album in its entirety. Maybe you do have to be stoned or perhaps you need use “are having a lovely time” as a reading aid. Either way, its no doubt a knowing wink to the bands aging hippy fan base and certainly something that immediately alienates the average listeners.
Gifts aside, take a shot of Lemon Jelly, a handful of nu-folk, a pinch of lo-fi and mix it together with a long measure of summertime and you are about there. Almost. There is also a huge curveball of genre hopping evident, the stand out, stoner rock track Wobbly Dog sounds like a glammed up Queens of the Stone Age that have just smoked an ounce of Purple Haze and decided to fuck about. Sadly, it’s the only one like it on the album. Its experimental nature does drift into dangerous territory at times. The prime example is the appalling attempt at white man reggae that is Yon Swimming Bloke. If anything, at least it’s a good example of how to strip a culture of its identity. Perhaps not the bands intention, but certainly one I hope they don’t revisit.
Despite this huge musical faux par, the rest is a fairly inoffensive. Amazingly Islands Lost At Sea have managed to hone and weave the feel of summertime into a handful of songs here. This shouldn’t be a bad thing, and in small doses it isn’t, but its in the minority. Interestingly, the albums main appeal is also its downfall; sunshine laden tunes that would drift into the background of a music festival marquee. Perfect for such a setting perhaps, but they are so relaxed and throw away they fail to make an impression and stick like festival memories should.
6/10
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