Nootropics

Jana Hunter and her band have created another green world, or maybe it's more gray than anything. I was hooked on their 1st album, "Twin Hand Movement," but find myself addicted to this new platter. The "Brains" EP, released a few months ago, heralded the new work but didn't fully reveal it's dimensions. The song "Brains" is now extended into the following track, "Stem", which completes it. "Nootropics" immaculately gathers together errant strands of 70s ambient and krautrock; the references in the music are obvious that I need not mention them here. Even so, the ownership of this music is Hunter's and her band, a logical extension from their 1st outing. Significantly, the addition of drummer Nate Nelson and keyboardist Carter Tanton, are the well-chosen key ingredients that give Hunter's band this great leap foward -- motorik beats and menacing shadows providing space loose enough to drive a lorry through. Listen to this in the dark.

I bought this CD since I liked one cut in particular and it seemed to get good reviews. There are three songs that I like alot. The rest of the CD is underwhelming but pleasant enough. Actually three good songs is pretty good these days but I would have been better off buying the individual songs.

Jana voice is so haunting. This album is more atmospheric & trippy than the others. I love it though.

Another gem from Lower Dens, moodier than their other albums

Vocals are one slow syllable at a time. One funeral dirge after another.

I had heard Lower Dens' "Brains" a few months ago on the web and found it intriguing, with it's catchy, hypnotic bass and drums and Jana Hunter's smooth, wistful vocals. So I decided to purchase the whole album and discovered it's one of those albums you can listen to again and again without really loving it right away, but getting rewarded with each listen with some new sonic nugget. There are a lot of influences on this album and to my ears I hear a little Radiohead, a dash of Deerhunter, Liars and even some Pale Saints (90's shoegazers).One stand out track for me is "Propagation" with it's relaxed, narcotic pace, snaky guitars and dark lyrics. I love the way the vocals are recorded on this entire album but especially on this song. "Lamb" is also a strong track carried on a wave of Hunter's soaring vocals which are accompanied by shards of guitar and silky keyboards.Lower Dens hail from Baltimore, home of indie standouts Beach House, as well as Wye Oak and Future Islands. There seems to be a "scene" developing there, though the bands could not be less concerned about that. But I hope _Nootropics_ helps Lower Dens gain a larger audience. They certainly sound like they deserve it.*** 1/2 stars

This album is worlds away from Lower Dens' catchy, poppy debut album 'Twin Hand Movement' and it seems they've been listening to King Crimson or Brian Eno. When I first listened to this album I thought'what the hell have I just listened to?' As Gertrude Stein so eloquently wrote 'There's no there there.' On second listen, more intently mind you, I was quite disappointed but being a huge fan I kept listening. It took a few more listens before the genius truly sunk in & then I became obsessed. At first listen the album seems to be filled with repetitveness & droning noise as with much progressive music.But this isn't traditional progressive rock/pop. at. all. It's an indie version. And it's better for that association. If you listen carefully, there's much beauty to be found in it's brash experimentalism. One of my favorite songs is 'Propagation' with it's soaring vocals by Jana Hunter. It's a very claustrophobic song yet quite gorgeous in it's insularity & simplicity. There's definitely some '80s influence throughout too. There's also some Joy Division present in many of the songs too but especially on the track Lion In Winter Pt. 2. Lamb is another mid-tempo song w/transcendent vocals. Candy could've easily fit comfortably on their debut since it sounds like their stereotypical sound from that album and quite excellent.If you give this album a chance with repeated listenings, it will grow on you with it's progressive rock/pop roots firmly planted in indieliciousness. And you will be rewarded for your patience. A classic, experimental album worth taking the time to get to know. And we are better because of it. . . .

I find music reviews hard to read, so I'll say this. Apart from music you will just never like, I think there is music that you like instantaneously and then grow tired of, music you might initially detest and then come to appreciate, and then there are tunes that confuse you and change your whole perception of what kind of music you like at all. For me, Lower Dens falls into this final category. I was intrigued when I saw the "Brains" video posted on Beach House's website. A week later this album was playing in my mind whether I was actually listening to it or not. The next week I checked out their previous album, "Twin Hand Movement", and found that to possess similar qualities. Make no mistake, it's a talented group.