Formed in 1996, The Lassie Foundation released their first EP, California. California defined the group's sound, a mix of the smooth 60s and early 70s West Coast pop music and the sonic power of British shoegaze music. They are easily one of the best bands to hit the scene in the last 20 years or so. It's a shame that they have such a small devoted following. They should be well known through out the world.
The hooks on this song are undeniable and the horn section is genius.
I love that the beach boys fixation is still present. The Eldorado L.P. is
such a solid release. A good amount of the songs off of it are on this list.
It's amazing that this song was held back for as long as it was. It should
have seen the light of day as soon as it was completed. The beautiful
horn
parts along with great guitar work and the background vocals are
a nice
touch. Throw it all together and you have an awesome song.
It's been said that the Lassie Foundation are a catchy, trippy, fuzzed-out,
Beach-Boys-on-acid. I would tend to agree.
"Crown of the Sea," which
spotlights vocalist
Wayne Everett's Brian Wilson falsetto, is a
fantastic song.
"El Rey" is a great example of what they call the California
sound. Included
are some of the finest vocal harmonies along with excellent
layered guitar
work. Two of my favorite songs are on this release.
"Promise Ring" being
one of them.
The layered vocal harmonies of "The Psalm of the Strongest Man"
are
fantastic. It's as if Brian Wilson was in the
studio alongside the California
boys. It's as if
The Beach Boys died and were reincarnated as
The
Lassie Foundation. This has gotta be the perfect summer song.
This one originated during the California Ep sessions. Which in many
circles
is considered a shoegaze classic, with influences like
My Bloody
Valentine and
Jesus and Mary Chain. How can a band go wrong?
That's right they can't. This might be the closest thing to a pop song
on
the album and it's a dandy.
As always a Lassie song takes on a certain form. They usually seem to
be
hooky and compelling. "Down on the Docks" is no different, It is a
wickedly
awesome pop moment. It's as is they can do no wrong, in my
eyes they can't.
This one has a very simple melodic structure that is genius. It's an
infectious
song that keeps you coming back for more. This batch of songs
just might
be their greatest achievement. Leaving the shoe-gazing layers
of sound
behind might have been the key.
Face Your Fun is about as straight forward a pop album as you can
get and that's a good thing. The retro 80's feel that is felt through
out
the disc, starts from the very expressive first track
"Don't Stop Your Heart." Lassie Foundation have always embraced
their influences but have always moved past them to build their own
brand
of rock music. That's the quality that makes them one of the
absolute best
bands from California.
The Eldorado L.P. is one of those albums that you keep going back
to.
It's an album that right away you think it's the best album in an
artists
collection. After time goes by you realize you were caught up in
the
feeling of hearing a new album by your favorite band. But none the
less
it was still a great one. "Sweet Release" is a song that's hard
to
describe. All I can say is that it's just a song that makes me smile
and
t
want to smile.
An irresistible melody with a hook that goes for days. The
Lassie Foundation
should be the kings of California pop. It's a
great injustice that they
aren't a house hold name. They have
more talent than 95% of the bands that
end up on the radio.
The Lassie Foundation found a way to re-visit the 80's without
coming off
as cheesy. They Managed to take the best elements
of that era and
incorporate them into their already shoegaze pop
evolving sound. The guitar
driven "Money Money" is a perfect
example of why these guys are
so great. They are so dialed into
what makes a great song.
It's easy to see why The Lassie Foundation was drawn to this
song. It's full
of the little things that make The Lassie Foundation
great. Great melody,
harmony, sparkling pop hooks and
toe-tapping guitars. This
Mighty Lemon Drop's classic is such a
great song.
The boys of Lassie found a way to make the listener
forget that this song
was written by another.
The heavy guitar work and fat drumbeats on this one are fantastic.
The song
is always in forward motion. Wayne's vocal delivery is
right on point. This
album just might their shining moment. Every
song is a near killer.
The tuneful rhythm of "We Are The Kings" and the non-stop 80's
nostalgia make this song a classic. This song is as catchy as they
come.
The intent and purpose of this song is to make you forget
about your troubles
and just enjoy yourself for even just a moment.
Their compositions and
arrangements are nothing short of masterful.
This song represents that in
the best way possible.
