Armed with a cheeky wit and a knack and a half for crafting wickedly attractive ditties, Simon Love recently issued his eagerly anticipated third solo effort, Love, Sex and Death etc. Pressed on the Tapete label, this 12-track collection weighs in as a concept album, concerning themes obviously focusing on love, sex, death and miscellaneous musings.
A good chunk of the material on the disc is paneled with lively orchestral arrangements, adding a spot of spit and polish to the traditional pop rock setting of guitar, bass and drums. Torched by Love’s tight and concise Kinks-meets-Squeeze styled vocals, the songs teem with color and personality.
Signing on as a heartfelt ode to Simon Love’s wife, “Me and You” entails a bedazzling burst of digging grooves, flowering melodies and dynamic guitar licks, capped with chiming wedding bells and majestic Phil Spector-inspired knob-twiddling techniques.
Unleashed at a dizzy pace, “L.O.T.H.A.R.I.O.” contains a humorous and rambling recount of preparing to engage in a one-night stand. Then there’s the twangy-and-clangy “I Will Always Love You Anyway” and the toe-twitching bounce of “You’re On Your Own,” which both show off Love’s expertise for playing purebred country music.
Plucky tempos, snagging breaks and climatic brass handiwork highlight “I Will Dance,” where “The Fuck Up” features swaying rhythms, breezy harmonies and politically directed verse.
Dedicated to Simon Love’s son, “Au Revoir My Dude” embraces a gentle and twinkly stance, and “I Love Everybody In The Whole Wide World (Except You)” centers upon a stimulating presentation of crystalline piano passages and a saucy drawl.
A quiet intensity triggers “The Worst Way to Die,” until a slightly bluesy guitar solo rears its stirring riffs in the middle of the cut, and Love, Sex and Death etc closes with “Me and You (Reprise),” which is a grand and beautiful instrumental of the opening number.
Perpetually entertaining, Love, Sex and Death etc portrays Simon Love in all his genius glory by putting smart and shrewd lyrics to insistently catchy musical incarnations. Here’s a host of songs destined to make you laugh, cry and contemplate – and no doubt sing along with, even if you can’t carry a tune!
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