In 2009, North Carolina native Stuart McLamb took the novel approach of releasing an album first and forming a band second and the result has been a decade-and-counting of top tier indie rock. The Love Language is my favorite band from what I consider to be my "college years" (even though I dropped out) and one of the only bands I truly enjoy that I can claim to have been aware of from the earliest days of the group.
420 to 30: A Music Retrospective
Here's 7 of my favorites from The Love Language.
Week 30: THE LOVE LANGUAGE
#203/420 - The Love Language, “Horophones”
The only song on this list that I licensed to use in one of my films, this one I was fortunate enough to be granted permission for use in the end credits of my first film, The Amateur Monster Movie. At the time, the group had only been together for less than a year and I was able to pitch the idea directly to them before a show they did in Milwaukee in 2010, and then when they did the song live, believe it — I got a shout out. So, there ya go. The only shout out I have ever gotten by a band on this list too.
I love the way it plays in the movie for many reasons which are mostly all things I just enjoy about the song in general, and the band itself. The drums coming in from the start are what inspired me to use it as a cut-in to the end credits. And the way the end spirals into an ethereal, crazy wall of sound was a great way to go out. Definitely a special song for me in my life for its place in a very special movie to me.
This is also one of the last songs I remember discussing with a very close family friend who passed away before the premiere of the movie and also appeared in it. We often would discuss music as I was growing up and he is one of my inspirations for making this list as he similarly chronologized, charted, and ranked his favorite music. I recall talking about the lyrics, particularly, “if all good children go to heaven, then all good children die.” He was always one for interesting conversation.
#204/420 - The Love Language, “Calm Down”
While it would be hard to match the impression of the first album for me, or even the second, the third produced this, one of their finest, and that is worth mentioning. It’s also one of their cleanest sounding tracks, which works well here, while still maintaining just enough of the characteristic lo fi sound. It opens up big time in its last two minutes for an excellent instrumental, one of their best, worthy of the repeat button.
#205/420 - The Love Language, “Sparxxx”
The first album by The Love Language is my favorite and it’s entirely recorded by Stuart McLamb, who was the group’s founder and only band member at the time. This song is something like a punk rock version of early Pink Floyd beginning with a bizarre crashing of sounds that goes into a poppy but lo fi rock and roll song, building into eventual screaming. Well performed in all regards by McLamb, who kills it on the scream.
#206/420 - The Love Language, “Providence”
Some great, full, lo fi rock. Another one of my favorites from the debut.
This was to The Love Language for me as “Smiley Faces” was to Gnarls Barkley for me. Basically, the next song I got into after the initial song of theirs I discovered that I played in abundance.
#207/420 - The Love Language, “Lalita”
I was recommended this song by a friend during the early days of producing The Amateur Monster Movie on the grounds that it reminded them of the Kinks, Beatles, and/or Doors, except modern. My introduction to The Love Language. I could hear the similarity, more or less, but by now, almost 10 years later, The Love Language has become a sound of its own in my repertoire, completely distinct from those possible influences.
This song is full of energy and one of the most striking qualities to me was the lo fi texture that I really loved/love about it. This whole album was recorded by one guy on amateur equipment but the talent and breadth behind it completely turn that into an asset rather than a hindrance. Stuart McLamb used what he had to its highest potential and made what I still consider a top album, and the only modern album that I went so far as to purchase a vinyl record copy of.
Still sealed. Yes, I’ve been that kind of nerd about it.
#208/420 - The Love Language, “Heart to Tell”
This song was a glorious follow-up to the first album which I enjoyed tremendously, one of their best for sure. This period marked the phasing in of the rest of the band around Stuart McLamb, so I am not sure if they are on this recording with him or not, but either way, this song manages to maintain the sound and texture that made the first album great, while still bursting with new life.
It’s somewhat surprising to me that this wasn’t more of a breakout hit, but I think the problem with the availability of recording means today is that great songs and artists can be completely overshadowed by mega media. Because there are so many more artists and songs out there, it is harder to stand out without mega media money. We are now often told what to like, rather than able to tell record companies what we do like. The Top 40 of the 60s featured the Beatles and the Stones and Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson. The Top 40 of today features… say no more.
Nonetheless, widely appreciated or not, it’s still highly appreciated by me and one of my favorite indie rock songs.
#209/420 - The Love Language, “Manteo”
An all-timer for me, this is a song I am just glad someone made. Reason being, it is one of my favorite self-harmonies ever. I am also a big fan of forceful drumming and use of sleigh bells on percussion. Again, all one guy, but it sounds like the best of friends singing about how they’re stuck in their hometown after a few rounds at the pub. There’s definitely a wailing, drunken quality that emerges after the initial verse and I dig it a lot.
This could be said to be The Love Language’s “Lodi”, their inescapable small town anthem. The lyrics are good poetry, and include some rhymes I am quite fond of, like “Chesapeake, I could barely speak.” It’s a good one, and I feel an underrated song by an underrated band.
Love Language, I will continue rocking your t-shirt on occasion and perhaps our paths shall cross again one day.
Next week, we officially hit the middle of the list and the language of love continues in a different but fitting way (between the sheets) with the deep, gravelly tones of the soul legend himself, Barry White.
420 to 30: A Music Retrospective
Week 2: The Jackson 5/The Jacksons
Week 3: A Tribe Called Quest
Week 4: Weezer
Week 5: Bob Dylan
Week 6: Led Zeppelin
Week 7: 2Pac/Makaveli
Week 8: Billy Joel
Week 9: Electric Light Orchestra
Week 10: Elvis Presley
Week 11: Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band
Week 12: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Week 13: Nirvana
Week 14: The Doors
Week 15: The Rolling Stones
Week 16: Gnarls Barkley
Week 17: Gábor Szabó
Week 18: Galaxie 500
Week 19: Simon & Garfunkel
Week 20: Gorillaz
Week 21: Ennio Morricone
Week 22: The Moody Blues
Week 23: Koji Kondo
Week 24: Rob Zombie/White Zombie
Week 25: Paul McCartney/Wings
Week 26: George Harrison
Week 27: Phil Spector
Week 28: John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
Week 29: Public Enemy
View the full list of "420 Songs" here: https://tinyurl.com/y8fboudu (Google spreadsheet link)