Category Archives: Reviews

Gothic Paradise Reviews Future Past

Internet radio station, Gothic Paradise, published a review of our 2010 album, Future Past, on their website. After a decade, Lovespirals have reconnected with this active source of music and information for the Gothic/Industrial/EBM/Ethereal communities, leading to the band being reinstated on their webzine, as well as having songs added into their show playlist.

Check out the Lovespirals band page on Gothic Paradise which includes a general bio and commentary on the band, plus reviews of both our first album, Windblown Kiss, and our most recent album, Future Past.

Below is the full review of Future Past by site founder, Jacob Bogedahl:

It has been ten years since we reviewed Windlbown Kiss here on Gothic Paradise.  Though this latest album was released a couple of years ago at the time of this writing, it’s good to go back and review it as we reintroduce this band to the pages of Gothic Paradise. It comes with eleven dreamy, downtempo pop pieces, exploring some diverse genres and hearkening back to the jazz sounds of years past.

As I’ve listened to this album over and over again to come up with a good description, one word keeps popping into my head and it’s one I’ve overused with the description of this duo and that’s “Jazzy”. Though there is a lot at play here, the prominent instruments are definitely a jazz guitar and/or electric piano coupled with Anji’s smooth vocals. The result is a very chilled out jazzy, downtempo pop sound. This is portrayed across all the smooth tracks starting with “Home” which comes out as a sentimental piece that any of us can relate to after being away from home for a while. The sultry, soft vocals take on deeper feeling across various pieces including the moodier tracks “Rain” and “One of Those Days”.

As we get about halfway through the album, a vibrant electronica style comes out on “Love” which actually brings back feelings of the early styles from this duo as well as just a touch of ethereal that fans should really love. Another dreamy highlight comes a bit later with “Meanwhile, Irreplaceable Time Flees”. This heavily ambient instrumental piece drifts along with some excellent guitar work keeping it grounded in the jazz style and dreamy moods. The regular tracks on the album wrap up with “Sinking” and “Believe” remaining on par with the rest of the album, as you listen to each track you can detect the common instruments and tempo which creates a homogenous style and mood that slowly drifts along with a soft groove. There are a couple of demos and a live piece as bonus material that die-hard fans will enjoy and with that it comes to a close.

There you have it, overall the band has really rooted themselves in a solid jazz-infused chillout pop style. We’ve seen the music transform slightly over the years as they’ve grown and explored their own styles and tastes. One thing seems sure, they seem to really be enjoying themselves over the years and with their music and that is the one thing I can highly recommend to any artist.
Rating: 4/5

Future Past in Majamaki Top 10 of 2011 List

Its always lovely to get good press, no matter how late or how obscure. California blogger, , has included Lovespirals in his Top 10 Music Albums of 2011, alongside Low, Thievery Corporation, Moby, Coldplay, Beastie Boys, and more.

Lovespirals – Future Past (Chillcuts 2010)

While this album was released in 2010, I discovered the album, and the band, this year. As a long time fan of the band Love Spirals Downward, who stopped producing new material in 1998, I had no idea that lead instrumentalist Ryan Lum made a new band with vocalist Anji Bee and released new music under the name Lovespirals. After discovering this I picked up 3 Lovespirals albums spanning the last decade, including; Windblown Kiss (2002), Long Way From Home (2007), and Future Past (2010).

For me, Future Past, is the strongest of the albums and it really stuck with me throughout the year. The music style is a little less etherial and dark when compared to Love Spirals Downward, instead it is more acoustic with subtle downtempo electronica that creates a dreamy pop soundscape. Soft hypnotic melodies with dreamy vocals in every song always puts me in a good mellow mood. Ryan even pays homage to Pink Floyd’s guitar intro from Shine on You Crazy Diamond with Meanwhile, Irreplaceable Time Flies. While I would love to hear a new Love Spirals Downward album, I don’t expect it to happen, however I do look forward to hearing what Lovespirals releases next.

Gothic Beauty Reviews Future Past

To our great surprise, Gothic Beauty included a review of Lovespirals’ 2010 album, Future Past, in the latest issue of their 80 page glossy color magazine. Gothic Beauty Issue 33 is available now at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Hastings, Chapters, Walden Books, Book World, Sheltam Books and Copperfield’s Books – or directly via gothicbeauty.com.

Reviewer Michael writes, in part:

“This album is designed for chill atmospheres. It reminds me of late nights at the bar and a jukebox loaded with good music. The song “Rain” is not to be missed — I’ve fallen in love with the song and want to have the song’s babies.”

Below is a scan of the full review:

Gothic Beauty Review 'Future Past'
Gothic Beauty Review ‘Future Past’ by Lovespirals

 

 

All Music Guide Reviews Future Past

All Music Guide posted a positive review of Lovespirals’ new album, Future Past, which reads, in part:

The combined approaches of Bee and Lum have created what is essentially a slinky soul album for the 21st century. One senses on songs like “Home” and “Sinking” that Bee and Lum have found a lovely balance between shoegaze’s love of reverb and texture and the richness of ’70s quiet storm at its best. “Shine,” with its build into a multi-tracked harmony from Bee and a gently majestic guitar part from Lum, and the similarly slow-burning “One of Those Days” are among the best standouts for the two as a team in perfect sync. – Ned Ragett

Read the entire review on Lovespirals All Music Guide page.

Chillout Scene Reviews Future Past

Chris of the Chillout Scene just gave Lovespirals new album, Future Past, a very positive review this week. The US-based blog is centered around the music and culture of the Chillout genre, including new album reviews, favorite YouTube videos, recent finds from music discovery services including Last.FM, Pandora, Blip.FM, and LaLa, as well as suggestions for Internet radio and podcasts. Chris also maintains a Chillout Scene Facebook page and Chillout Scene Twitter account (mirrors of each other)  you can follow to keep up with site updates and cool daily music suggestions, as well.

After giving a breakdown of his favorite tracks (“Home,” “Love,” “Meanwhile Irreplaceable Time Flees/Insignificant,” and “Sinking”,) Chris sums up his thoughts on the album:

Overall, I really like Lovespirals’ sound on this album, especially since it is similar to one of my favorite chillout artists, Zero 7. I think Ryan’s bluesy guitar playing is what makes them unique and makes them even more interesting than Zero 7 since they don’t just stick to acoustic guitar parts and electronic drum and bass tracks. Anji’s vocals also set Lovespirals apart from other artists as even the quieter parts are nice and smooth, rather than whispery. She makes her voice appear so delicate that it could fade away if any quieter, but it remains nice, smooth, and chill. Check out Future Past right away HERE.…I highly recommend it!

Read Chillout Scene’s full review of Future Past by Lovespirals.

Lovespirals 'Future Past' now on iTunes

Lovespirals’ 4th full-length album, Future Past, was just released this week on the iTunes Music Store. Individual songs are available in non-DRM 256k AAC for just $.99 each or buy the full album for $9.99. The band offered Future Past digipac CDs and digital downloads over the holiday season exclusively on the Lovespirals Webstore, but the official album release date is January 1, 2010. Popular online music store, CDBaby, is also offering Future Past in both CD and digital download formats. More stores will be following soon.

Reactions thus far have been extremely positive, with many fans claiming Future Past to be Lovespirals’ best album to date. Even with the extremely limited holiday season release, some have included Future Past in their “best of 2009” lists, including Green Arrow Radio and several Last.FM bloggers:

Crap on a cracker, this album has gotten me so hooked, I can rarely pull away from it. Anji’s voice is like honey, very smooth. I was a bit concerned how the follow-up to “Long Way From Home” was going to sound, because it’s one of my favorite albums ever and very hard to surpass. But Anji and Ryan have done it. And how! – Escapings, Last.FM

Singer/songwriter, Beth Hirsch – who’s perhaps best known for her work with Air on their seminal Moon Safari album – has been extremely supportive, writing:

From the unforgettable chorus on “Shine,” to Anji Bee’s sultry vocal cadences on tracks such “Feels So Good”, “Love,” and “Rain”, to the stunning guitar riffs, Rhodes, and instrumentation by Ryan Lum on “Meanwhile, Irreplaceable Time Flees” and “One Of These Days,” Lovespirals’ latest CD, Future Past, is easily one of the best chillout albums to welcome in 2010. The album is sexy, moody, bluesy, ethereal – pure Lovespirals. — Beth Hirsch, CDBaby

Karmacoda frontman and producer, B, has shown his support as well. After attending an exclusive pre-release listening party, he had this to say:

Lovespirals combines seamless harmony and a relaxed tempo with guitar and synthesized instrumentals for a sound that is unique. ‘Future Past’ sounds both classic and yet completely new; it features the most compelling elements of seventies groups yet is completely rooted in today’s electronica/pop/alternative genres. — Brett Crockett

Anji and Ryan of Lovespirals would love to read your review of Future Past on iTunes!

Green Arrow Radio Features Future Past

Mr. G of Green Arrow Radio has been spinning several of Lovespirals latest songs, including “Home,” “Love,” and “Meanwhile, Irretrievable Time Flees/Insignificant”. Future Past also made the Green Arrow Radio Tops of 2009 list, ranking #33 out of his unconventional list of 97 albums. This free-form show features an eclectic array of artists with an emphasis on world music and underground talents that you are unlikely to hear anywhere else. Green Arrow Radio airs on 91.7fm WSUM in Madison, WI, Saturdays from 10 am to noon. You can also stream the Green Arrow Radio show — and indeed, the whole station — over the Internet via iTunes, Windows Media Player or WinAmp.

Mr. G wrote a fun and quirky review of Future Past on the Green Arrow Radio blog, which reads, in part:

The latest release from Lovespirals has me softly speaking to myself and smiling. The down tempo music and vocal temptations seduce the parts of my ears that are connected right to the part of my brain that produces happiness. Highlight on this album for me personally [is] “Meanwhile, Irreplaceable Time Flees” right into “Insignificant”… This is a classy album that I am so happy to share with others; I think it’ll find many compatible ear-mates out there.

Shine Wins Best Female Vox Award

Lovespirals first Future Past single, “Shine” has won the Garageband Reviewer’s Pick Award for Best Female Vocals in the Alternative Pop genre for this week. This is an ongoing contest judged by site users, primarily musicians who are also participating in the contest held by this unique i-Like owned music site. Songs are judged in an anonymous fashion, with the reviewer having no information about the track other than the soundfile itself until after they have rated it and posted their review comments. Kieran Moore of Ireland wrote, “Quite a haunting song. Nice mood with the Rhodes, and the female singer has a sexy voice which works really well when layered. Reminds me of the French band Air. Good sound, well done.” Visit Lovespirals page on Garageband to read all the reviews thus far, as well as to stream or download “Shine” for free. You can also check out more Lovespirals songs, including the multiple-award-winning “Love Survives,” which won Track of the Day and Track of Week twice each, and currently holds #16 Best Female Vocals of All Time in the Electronica Genre.

Shine Wins Garageband Award
Shine Wins Garageband Award for Best Female Vocals in Alternative Pop Category

Music Tap Praises 'Future Past'

Matt Rowe penned a very positive review of Lovespirals’ latest release for the Music Tap site. It reads, in part:

I’ll say it now, Lovespirals is an undiscovered diamond, cut to a many-faceted perfection in their new album. Future Past is their masterpiece work to date. With Manzarek-like keyboards, a masterful bluesy guitar, and an angelic voice, the 11 tracks that you’ll find on this magnificent surprise are not to be missed.

He goes on to comment about the performances of Ryan and Anji individually, even encouraging the duo to pursue solo endeavors outside of Lovespirals. You’ll have to read the full review on Music Tap.

This Truth Tops Dance Charts

Hot new UK dance music label, Loverush Digital, is about to drop a “Damien.S VS Lovespirals” branded set of remixes of our single, “This Truth,” on February 9th. UK radio and club DJs, however, have already been spinning advanced copies the past few weeks. To our delight, the EP has been blazing up various club charts!

DMC is currently listing “This Truth” at #4 on the UK Club Chart and the World House Chart, #6 on the Club 2009 Test Chart, #10 for the UK Chart, World Commerical Chart, and World Chart plus #16 on the UK Monthly Chart and #18 on the World Monthly Chart.

We’re going up against some pretty steep competition from the likes of Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson, and being a spot ahead of “Single Ladies” on the UK Club is just insane and surreal…

[update: The single went on to reach #2 on the DMC World Trance Chart, #4 on the DMC World House Chart and #8 on the UK Music Week Club Charts!]

Damien.S VS Lovespirals "This Truth" #2 on DMC World Trance Chart
Damien.S VS Lovespirals "This Truth" #2 on DMC World Trance Chart

This Truth (Damien.S VS Lovespirals Radio Edit)


This Truth (Adam Fielding Chilled Out Mix)

Support for the track has been great and we’re excited to be played on shows and stations including Housesssions with Denny Dowd on Juice FM, PH Factor on Energy FM, Club Control with DJ Confusion, and Twilight on Pulse. Reactions have been fantastic, as well. DJs are reporting lots of dancefloor love and even requests!

John McCormick (Deep 6, Fury Murrys, The Hive, Yates) 10/10
This has created one of the biggest buzzes on the floors I’ve seen in ages. Its an enormous winner and packs the floors everytime without fail. Superb mix package. Top stuff all round!

DJ Crispian Aldis (Elemental, Havanah, Paradise) 10/10
This is good and is causing quite a stir in my sets. Loads of fab mixes to choose from. Top track, top label. I can see big things for Loverush in 2009.

Beaker (Berties, Bunters, Divas, Red Square) 9/10
I love the feel to this track, she has such a haunting voice. You can’t help but hear it. It’s such a smooth chill out dance track that works really well.

John J (Club DNA, Liquid Lounge, Wigan Pier) 9/10
LOVIN THIS! Quality vocal trancer with a wicked package of mixers. Fave is Juno Synclair vs Craig Bailey Remix.

Also available digitally via JunoDownload and AudioJelly and XPressBeats

More Reviews of Lovespirals' 'Long Way From Home' CD

Reviews are still popping up of Lovespirals recent album, Long Way From Home, in partial thanks to the efforts of Ariel PR who helped to push the album when it was released this past October 23rd.

Jason Moore of Opus writes:

Ultimately, Lum and Bee are all about creating a mood with their music, a relaxed and blissed-out vibe that should be no stranger to fans of dreampop, chill-out electronica, and atmospheric pop. This is music for both late night sessions and noon daydreams, for both listening to at work when you need to escape the pressure of the day and at home when you simply need to unwind with a good book and a glass of wine.

Miles Klee said in Hot Indie News:

Bluesy slide guitar work sometimes shades over into Santana-like finger-meandering, and vocalist Anji Bee’s layered voice paints bright glaze over already dreamy arrangements. It’s as though the glancing disaffection of 80’s and 90’s dream-poppers has been filtered through an AM radio, a mutation that works by dint of sounding completely natural on an evolutionary view.

From the Green Arrow Radio blog:

More than melancholic music, there is a sense that they traveled with you on similar & familiar roads with the radio tuned to the same left of the dial station in the middle of wherever. After nearly a decade of artistic collaboration between singer/songwriter, Anji Bee, & multi instrumentalist & producer, Ryan Lum, it is no wonder that they have managed to put together an album of answers to questions yet asked with a subtle sultry sense of sound security.

The Celebrity Cafe‘s Ray Anderson mused:

Empty and sad, but of full of emotion, their album Long Way from Home is medicine for those that dig the alternative. How can you take a gut-wrenching classic like “Motherless Child” and make it sadder? Let the “Lovespirals” get a hold of it. It’s easy to fall into the loose, country-tinged groove of “Caught in a Groove” and let your soul be taken for a ride. By the time the “upbeat” “Lovelight” comes on, you won’t mind being “A Long Way from Home,” and I think you’ll want to stay there.

Read or written a great review of Lovespirals? Then post a link here, by all mean!

Music Critics Weigh in on Lovespirals' Long Way From Home

Reviews are starting to come in for Lovespirals new album, Long Way From Home, and the critics have been kind.

All Music Guide‘s Ned Raggett writes,

For their third album as Lovespirals, Anji Bee and Ryan Lum again create a lush series of songs that synthesizes disparate influences into a warm, enveloping listen.

Matthew Johnson of Re:Gen Magazine writes,

It’s not an understatement to call Long Way from Home the duo’s most accomplished work up to date; as enjoyable as their previous explorations of laidback electronica and jazz fusion have been, this album captures Lum and Bee’s warm musical chemistry in a way that previous releases only hinted at.

Matt Rowe of MusicTap.net writes,

From the band’s early years as Love Spirals Downwards — with a vocalist all but forgotten for Anji Bee’s lovely, dreamy, and expansive vocal pleasantries — to their current album, Lovespirals have always been a band of change. Their latest, the wonderfully titled Long Way From Home, is one of superior work and can easily rank as the band’s best work in either incarnation.

cadencerevolution.com podcast blogs:

It’s very rare these days to come across an entire CD which you will listen to over and over from beginning to end non-stop, and even rarer to find one which makes you want to grab everyone you know and tell them “you must listen to this.” However such is the case with the third release, Long Way Home, from the California based duo Lovespirals.

Come hear what all the fuss is about at lovespirals.com/longway!