Once in a blue moon you stumble upon an album that just blows you away. One that pulls you in right from the very first song and doesn’t let go until the final lingering note of the last song.
The Lumineers self-titled debut album is that “once in a blue moon” for me and I have a feeling that I’m not alone. The record came out in early April and I STILL can’t stop listening and talking about it. There are plenty of indie folk bands out there, but The Lumineers are a breath of fresh air with their vintage sound, soft vocals, and fun melodies. Some bands grow on you after a handful of listens, but this entire album is instantly gratifying and you can’t help but turn it up and dance (or bob your head if that’s your thing).
Many of the songs start out quiet and slow but quickly build up momentum with rolling drums and upbeat tempos. The single off of the album, “Ho Hey” starts off with soft vocals punctuated with sharp “Ho’s” and “Hey’s” in the background. It quickly picks up into a cheerful tune, even though it speaks of love lost. Though not my favorite song on the album, definitely the best performed live as the band came into the audience and got everyone tapping their foot and singing along.
While I truly love the band’s buoyant tracks, the songs that really grasp my heart and soul are the more serious songs like “Stubborn Love” and “Slow it Down”. You can hear the earnest heartache in lead singer, Wesley Shultz’s voice as he sings, “I feel a filth in my bones, wash off my hands til it’s gone…”
Despite some of the somber tunes, the entire album is one big sing along. If you get the chance to see them live, don’t hesitate. You will see a band in perfect harmony with one another: Neyla Pekarek on the strings, Jeremiah Fraites on the drums and Shultz with his voice and charm. The love is immediately apparent as they begin to play and somehow they remind you that love or loss, life is damn good.
It’s taking everything in me not to post every single video I can find, but I’ll leave you with this live interview and performance on KEXP.